Google is rolling out a new update for Maps for Indian customers. The latest update adds support for public transit systems like buses and even Indian Railways. The feature is currently live in 10 Indian cities and is expected to expand to other regions soon. Not only that, but Google has also added auto-rickshaws which are a popular means of transport in India.
According to Google (via XDA Developers), the new feature will show both buses and trains running between two places and will also show a cumulative mix of both if needed. The feature is currently live in Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi/NCR, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Mysore, Pune, and Surat. The auto-rickshaws feature, on the other hand, will allow users to check availability, trip duration and even meter charges set by local transport authorities. Unfortunately, the feature is currently available in Delhi and Bangalore.
We at Google are focused on building Maps features that will help deliver a more relevant, accurate, and reliable experience for commuters. Transit navigation is one of the most popular Maps features in India, and we look forward to these new features will bring more value to users.
Moving on to long-haul journey, Google will source the data from Indian Railways to show if a train is running behind schedule or even give break journey options if a direct train to a particular destination is not available. This feature was developed in partnership with Where is my Train app that Google acquired last year. The current issue with Indian Railways is the seat availability but we do hope that Google manages to tackle the issue so users can see the seats available in a particular train and plan ahead accordingly.