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Google Quietly Releases a Key Google Maps Feature for More Users

Most drivers use Google Maps for navigation instructions to reach a defined destination more quickly, easily, and safely too. That said, the service and its mobile applications offer plenty of other capabilities that also come in handy to those who don’t have a car.
Lyon public transportation data on Google Maps 1 photo
Photo: autoevolution
One such example is public transportation support, a feature that lends a hand to pretty much everybody who wants to travel in a city in more conveniently.

As it turns out, Google has been working on expanding full public transportation support to more locations. Most recently, the search giant released a significant update for users in Lyon, France.

While Google Maps already included essential public transportation data in the region, it now looks like it’s been updated with detailed route data. That means it can now generate step-by-step guidance along with timing information to provide users with accurate estimates for their ETAs.

It is a feature that’s already live in several other large cities across the world. In most cases, Google is working together with public transportation authorities in each region to make it happen. Also, the release comes only a few weeks after Google brought the same capabilities to Lille, another French city with full public transportation data on Google Maps.

In the meantime, Google is also working on several other major improvements for Google Maps, and one of them concerns drivers too.

Beginning with a new update going live this year, Google Maps will introduce a new route algorithm that will no longer try to find the fastest way to a specific destination but the most fuel-efficient one.

Google says Google Maps will help reduce the carbon footprint, as the provided routes will take into account several new factors, including the fuel consumption based on the type of roads you’re going to use.

The good news is the app will still let drivers return to the previous model that provides the fastest route to a destination. Still, by default, Google Maps will generate the most fuel-efficient alternative for everybody.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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