Google Maps is getting 3 new India-centric features for a better navigation in cities

To help its Indian users, Google had added India-specific features on Google Maps time and again. Now, Google Maps is getting three new navigation features for Indian users who use public transportation to get around the city. The three new features Google Maps is getting for the Indian users are – Real-time bus travel information, Live Train status and mixed-mode navigation option. Each new feature aims to make the user who use public transportation to travel around the city easier.

The three new Google Maps features for the Indian users and what they do are listed below:

Real-time bus travel information

With this new feature, users will be able to see the delay they might face when travelling by bus. It will show the live traffic status of the route the bus has taken and show the ETA according to the traffic conditions. In case the bus is delayed, the user will get a message on their smartphones with red colour. The message will tell them the regular commute time and the time that will be extended due to the traffic in the bus’ route. However, if there is no delay and the bus in on time and then the user will receive a green message telling them that they are not late. The new feature will initially be launched in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Mysore, Pune, and Surat.

Live Train Status

Google Maps now has made it easier for the Indian users to be aware of the trains they will be travelling in. This new feature will work as its name suggests, it will tell the users the live status of a train and check if it is delayed. But it should be noted that it will work only in the case of a long-distance train journey. According to Google, this new feature was developed in collaboration with the ‘Where is my Train’ application which was acquired by the company in 2018.

Mixed-mode navigation

This new feature comes with an auto-rickshaw recommendation and it is extremely useful for users who switch between a bus and auto or metro and auto to reach their destination. This feature of Google Maps will let the user know when they should take an auto-rickshaw and what station (bus or metro) will be the most suitable to take either local transports such as bus, metro or local train. Other than that, this feature will also tell the user the estimated fare of the auto-rickshaw and the departure of the public transport. Initially, the mixed-mode navigation will be available for users of Delhi and Bengaluru, it will also reach other Indian cities as well in the future.

Currently, the three new features for the Google Maps is not live either in a stable or beta version but it will soon roll out in the coming future.