Google today launched an expansion to its feature that tells you how crowded public transportation is on Maps. The tool was originally launched in 2019, but has now in Brazil last year and did not have the complexity that it gained with the new update. In fact, the Apple has already implemented its version for your Maps on iOS 14.5.
The Google Maps feature allows users to check the occupancy rate of the bus or subway at the time of boarding and, therefore, decide whether to take the next car or wait (hoping that it is less crowded). It works very similarly to the Quicko app, released in May this year.
In this new update, this public transport occupancy meter is now available in 10 cities in 000 countries around the world. Here in Brazil, Google's press office informed us, the tool works fully in cities from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In other locations, it works partially, but it is already possible to indicate the situation so that Google can collect the data and display it in the near future.
Intelligence behind it
Unlike Quicko, which basically uses information sent by the user about the current situation of public transport congestion, Google Maps has other mechanisms. It uses AI to detect how often vehicles are crowded, as well as data from the user's Location History, which is collected anonymously without the risk of exposing the smartphone owner.
To check how crowded your bus or subway line is, simply open Google Maps and plot a route to where you want to go. From the options that appear, simply choose the one that has the public transport you usually use and tap on the corresponding time. Google Maps will show you whether the car is crowded, if there is a seat left, if it is empty, and other options in between. For now, this feature is only available on the mobile app, but it should be coming to PCs.
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Ars Technica
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