Google Maps' New Feature Alerts You When You’ve Reached Your Train, Bus Stop

According to a report recently published by TechCrunch last weekend, Google will soon roll out a new update for its Google Maps service, introducing a new interactive real time notification system for commuters and passengers. 

Sure, trains and buses are wonderful inventions for those who do not possess their own means for transport, but knowing the right stop can often be tricky, especially for those who are not familiar with a city’s rail or bus transport systems (or those fond of catching some Z’s while riding public transport). 

Thankfully, the folks at Google are updating Google Maps to literally help point people to the right direction, i.e. the correct bus or train stop. There is nothing complicated about making full of this new interactive notification system -- just like the usual, the user begins by searching for transit directions through Google Maps. What is different this time is that users will soon see a start button placed at the bottom section of the screen. This button shows details about the transit journey, and then provides live updates during the train or bus ride. And of course, part of this functionality is a reminder that one’s stop is coming up right ahead.

Google’s newest update for its Google Maps also includes on the lock screen. The tech giant has cleverly included an interactive element to the proceedings, allowing users to scroll right through their transit journey’s progress. The world’s most popular source of directions is already pretty good with transit directions, but with the notifications and interactive mode, getting to the right destination is made easier. Sure, there are other interactive apps out there that offer real time data during the commute, but with the updated Google maps, Android users never need to install or even launch a separate app.

The last couple of months have seen Google introduce (or hint about) some changes to the popular Google Maps. Some may remember that a little more than a month ago, the tech giant had announced plans to add a new feature that will have Google Search, and eventually also Google Maps, to show estimated wait times for restaurants within a particular neighborhood or area in the city. Before, hungry users had to be content with getting information about the peak hours of that fancy new restaurant about two blocks away, but with the new functionality, they get to be updated about the wait times during, say, mornings on weekends.