Google Maps has received a brand new update which gives the service's UK public transport coverage a much-needed kick up the arse. Public transport on Google Maps in the UK has been pretty poor until now meaning you have to head onto train, ferry or bus websites to organise most of your journey.
UK users need fuss no more though as the update has brought in every time and route for train, bus, tram and ferry services in the UK.
Google claims it has nearly 17,000 different route possibilities. The update comes to Android devices, iOS services and also on the desktop version. It uses real time information from websites such as Traveline and the National Express site. Of course this info will also be leveraged inside Google Now, meaning it'll be even easier to plan a route.
Google’s David Tattersall said, "You'll now know when the next trip is departing, how many stops and how far your walk is between each station. You can also pick your preferred method of travel and whether you'd rather walk less or make fewer transfers, so you can compare and choose the best option for you.”
He continued, “While national rail data and public transport information is already available in Google Maps for some cities like London, we now provide coverage across the whole of Great Britain. To make this happen we added schedules from National Express, and partnered with Traveline which collates the information from nearly 1,500 local and national operators like Centro and Merseyside."
It’s thought the update was launched in order to combat what Apple is working on right now. According to rumours iOS 8 will be a big overhaul for the Apple Maps service which should help it to compete with the big G.
by jamesp via Featured Articles
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