Google Maps can now predict how crowded your train will be
You know it's going to be crowded on the bus to work, but now Google Maps can give you a heads up on just how bad it'll be.
Similar to when crowded restaurant and store predictions rolled out in 2017, Google Maps took user data on past rides to map out when certain train, bus, and subway lines are the most crowded. Now you'll see on your transit directions just how packed of a ride to expect.
Google first tested the feature in Sydney in October. Starting Thursday, it will be available to iOS and Android users in 200 cities around the world. Those include 46 metro areas in the U.S., including Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and the Bay Area.
Since October, Google Maps has been analyzing reports from Google Maps users during the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. commute time. It found the most crowded transit lines are in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Paris, Tokyo, and New York's L train.
Also Thursday, Google Maps rolled out real-time delays and arrivals for public buses for those 200 same cities.
When the bus schedule doesn't match what's happening in real-time, Google Maps will show exact arrival times at the bus stop. The transit view will also show problem points ahead where the bus is likely to hit more delays.
Isn't commuting fun?
Topics Google
Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.
