Life should be easier for Victorian public transport users now services are on Google Maps
Public transport users in Victoria can finally plan their journeys using Google Maps for the first time in history, the Victorian Government announced this week.
While Public Transport Victoria (PTV) data was released to Google more than a year ago, it has taken longer than expected for Google to incorporate the data and make it available online.
Although it appeared as a function, the Google Maps ‘transit’ option did not work for locations in Melbourne, but now train, tram and bus timetable data showing departure times, route numbers, and stop information is displayed.
The transit tab also allows users to compare how long public transport takes compared to walking, cycling or driving.
“Google transit makes it easier to get around – you can plan your journey on public transport and compare it to walking, cycling or driving,” Victorian minister for public transport Jacinta Allan says.
“It’s a great improvement to an app many of us use every day, that will make it easier to get where you need to go on our trains, trams and buses.”
PTV executive director customer experience Alan Fedda says Google Maps provides customers with another way to plan their journey in a new way along with the dedicated PTV app.
Timetable data includes planned service changes, as well as extra services for special events such as the upcoming Australian Football League (AFL) season.
Google Australia Melbourne office lead Sean McDonell says the inclusion of Melbourne public transport data is a step in the right direction.
“We hope that Google Transit will make it faster and easier for Melbourne commuters to plan their next journey, and give them more time to explore all this great city has to offer.”