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Avoiding crowded trains, buses, subway cars has always been in favor. But now with the COVID pandemic still raging, avoiding crowds has become even more important. Whether you’re using public transit in your hometown or traveling in a foreign country, you can use Google Maps to help you avoid crowds.
When a subway train pulls into the station, you may scramble to find a car that isn’t packed with passengers. You may even wait for the next train instead of scurrying to find an emptier car. Or you might wait for the next bus instead of cramming onto one filled with riders.
Google just introduced a new update to Google Maps that can show in real-time how crowded each car is on a subway train. With this update, you can see before a train pulls into a station how crowded each car is.
This new update to Google Maps also can help you avoid crowded trains and buses. Google Maps can now predict which buses and trains will be the most crowded based on past ridership so you can plan your routes accordingly.
As pandemic restrictions began to be lifted in the U.S., Google saw searches for public transit directions increase by 50%. Anticipating increased usage of public transportation with the knowledge the pandemic isn’t yet over, Google Maps developed an update to help people around the world avoid crowded transport.
The update shows in real-time how crowded approaching subway cars are and predicts how crowded buses, trains, and subways will be based on past ridership.
Google Maps Update Showing Crowded Subway Cars
This update from Google Maps can help guide you to the least crowded cars on a subway train. When you search for directions on Google Maps using a subway, you will be able to see which approaching subway cars are the least crowded.
You’ll be able to see how many cars are on the subway train and which of those cars have the fewest passengers. You can use Google Maps to move to a place on the platform to board a less crowded subway car before the train arrives.
Google Maps will indicate that the information is real-time with a Live button above the diagram showing the least crowded cars.
Check out => Google Maps Can Show You How Busy a Place Is Right Now
Availability
Initially, this transit information is rolling out in New York, NY and in Sydney, Australia with more cities to be added in the near future. In its announcement, Google said, “In New York and Sydney, we’re piloting the ability to see live crowdedness information right down to the transit car level. This feature is powered by data from agencies like Long Island Rail Road and Transport for New South Wales, with more cities coming soon.”
Google Maps Update Predicting Crowded Trains, Buses, and Subway Cars
Google Maps is using artificial intelligence (AI) and user feedback to learn which trains, buses, and subway trains are the most crowded. With this information, Google Maps can show which are usually the most crowded routes to help riders plan their trips.
Note that, unlike the update showing how crowded subway cars are in real-time, there is no Live button by this transit information.
Google explained, “you’ll know if your line is likely to have lots of open seats, hit full capacity, or be anywhere in between. With this information you can decide whether you want to hop on board or wait for another train. Because pandemic or not, no one likes standing in a jam-packed subway car.”
Navigating the new normal looks a little different everywhere.
Google Maps can help you get around safely with new updates, including transit crowdedness predictions in over 100 countries. See all the latest → https://t.co/nxNTb8lqOc
— Google Maps (@googlemaps) July 21, 2021
Don’t miss => Google Maps Update Adds Information to Help Travelers, Drivers, Pedestrians, Cyclists, and More
Availability
This update to Google Maps shows public transit crowd predictions for over 10,000 transit agencies in over 100 countries around the world.
Your Thoughts
Have you been using public transportation more frequently lately? Do you try to avoid crowds when you use public transport? Do you like the idea of using Google Maps to avoid crowds on public transportation?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Wow that is amazing tech, and maybe disturbing at the same time. Really Google knows more about us than we do.
Hi Valent, Yes, this is amazing tech that has the potential to be extremely helpful to many people. But it also raises questions about how much Google knows about us. Google’s privacy statement about this tech is intended to address our concerns. Everyone should consider whether Google Map’s valuable guidance is worth the price of privacy.
This seems very timely in terms of Covid safety – underground trains here in the UK are as airless as they are crowded, which makes them more of a concern than regular (overground) trains or buses. But, it could also prove useful for autistic travellers. Public transport is very difficult in sensory terms, and knowing what to expect as well as possibly being able to avoid some of the crowds would be a significant relief. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, Katie, what an excellent point. You’re right, there are many reasons people may want to avoid crowds beyond COVID and Google Maps can be helpful for them too.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us!