Google Maps gets live mass transit arrivals

Google added one of the most often sought-after features to Google Maps today with the appearance of real-time mass transit status updates. Updates to the desktop app, mobile web page and the Android app (Market) will now show when a bus, subway, or train is actually expected to arrive and help curb unnecessary waits or being caught out by an early stop. Locations also flag alerts, such as detours or delays.

The implementation is a direct collaboration with local public transportation companies that have a way of tracking individual vehicles' locations.

Requiring the tie-in has limited the initial rollout to four US cities and two international, including Boston, Portland in Oregon, San Diego, San Francisco, Madrid, and Turin. More cities should sign on but are dependent on both their cooperation and their transit technology. The service is available today and will work on iPhones through the mobile web page.

By Electronista Staff