New multi-mode transit directions on Google Maps
Even though the public transit system in the United States is constantly under attack from special interests and our rail system is crumbling at an exponential rate, we still need to get where we're going. So we suffer through it. Or we drive. Or ride-share. Or ride our bikes. And we use Google Maps to plan our route.
Prior to a new update rolled out this week in Google Maps, we'd have to choose our single mode of transportation in order to figure out our route. Are we taking the bus or subway? Are we biking? Are we ride-sharing or walking? Pick one, find the best route. The new update in Google Maps allows you to combine some or all these options for the best available mode(s) of transportation. If you live some place where driving is the only option, then you probably don't care about this update.
In my town there isn't much to be had in the way of public transportation. There's a bus that runs every twenty minutes and kind of gets you from Downtown to Walmart and back in half a day. So this update really doesn't affect me much outside of being able to finally see routes tailored for cyclists for when I take the bike off the stand and go outside to die in the humidity.
Last month Google rolled out transit crowdedness which, similar to the colors you see on the map for driving traffic, adjusted for public transportation traffic. Based on the tweets I read about the L train, that one is probably always red.
Google Maps is quickly becoming much more than just trying to remember where that new Pho place is, but a total transit information system. According to Google, transit directions paired with biking and ride-sharing will start rolling out in the coming weeks on Android and iOS. Every bit of information will be included in the new multi-mode transit options including price for each leg (walking is still mostly free) and ETA based on a billion factors and data points that exist within the Google Maps servers.
Google Maps knows where you are and where you are going and how you should get there.
Considering how difficult it is becoming to rely solely on public transportation in large cities fighting to get the money to maintain and upgrade these systems, the ability to pair public transit with ride-sharing and old fashioned cycling is fairly handy. While I can't picture a scenario in which I take the bus, then ride-share, then bike, all the while carrying my bike I guess, it's possible with this update.
Of course, if this country doesn't get its act together when it comes to fixing train tunnels, subways and bus systems, then this update is mostly all for naught and you may as well just download Uber and hope that whatever Jetta or Prius picks you up has a bike rack.
