Google Maps wants to make commuting easier
Google announced this week that its Google Maps app will begin rolling out options within its “Directions” service that can be paired with ridesharing, such as Uber or Lyft, and bike routes.
In a Aug. 27 blog post, the company wrote, “…we know that transit journeys can be complex–often involving multiple modes of transportation to help you get around town. Today, we’re making it easy to pair transit directions with biking and ridesharing options so you can travel that first or last mile with ease.”
A user can select the transit tab when searching for directions within Google Maps and the routes featuring ridesharing and cycling options paired with transit directions will automatically be displayed. Should a user select a ridesharing vehicle, they will be notified about ride cost, wait times, traffic conditions and when their transit connection (bus or train) is scheduled to depart. Users may also select the preferred rideshare provider along with other options such as pool or economy.
For bike users, routes will be tailored for cyclists with pertinent information about the connecting transit options and all the information will be factored into the total travel time, providing a reliable estimate of when the user will arrive at the selected destination.
Google says the transit directions paired with biking and ridesharing will begin its rollout in 30 countries around the globe on Android and iOS platforms in the next few weeks with more planned.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
