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Google Maps adding public transit data for the UK tomorrow

 Update: Google has just made things official and also let us know its adding bus lines in Vancouver and Chicago. In addition, it also released some updated stats on the progress of transit directions in Maps (pictured below).

  • On the other side of the globe, Vancouverites looking for sun can now get real-time updates on whether a bus to Kits is faster than one to Third Beach.
  • In Chicago, Cubs fans can now zip to and from Wrigley Field, armed with the real-time information they need to hop on a bus and avoid congestion on Lake Shore Drive.

Google is about to expand its public transport data in Maps for both desktop and mobile users in the UK. The Guardian notes that the public transport directions were previously only available to users in London but starting tomorrow the feature will become available to users across England, Scotland and Wales with nearly 17,000 new routes. 

Users can currently access public transport information for London and the south east, but from Wednesday users on iOS and Android apps and on the desktop version will all be able to search National Express and Traveline data, as well as 1,500 local and national operators such as Centro and Merseyside. Nearly 17,000 routes are included and 34,000 stopping points, ferry ports and stations.

Product manager for public transport in Google Maps David Tattersall gave the following comment to The Guardian:“In Britain, public transport is part of the national psyche.  The biggest changes will be on mobile, as devices are becoming more and more powerful and they’re things we spend a lot of time with. We’re aiming to really improve users’ lives.”

Google also plans to add public transport routes for Norther Ireland once it gets its hands on the data.

  • Google Maps has transit data for 15,000 cities and towns across 64 countries and 6 continents.

  • Buses, trains and ferries included on Google Maps travel 200 million kilometers every day—that’s the equivalent of driving every single road in the world three times!

  • Over 2.3 million transit stations can be found on Google Maps

  • Fun Fact! In the 10 seconds it takes to read a social post, over 30,000 vehicles found on Google maps have left their stations.

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Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s weekly Logic Pros series and makes music as one half of Toronto-based Makamachine.