Google Maps has launched a new multimodal trip-planning feature that incorporates bicycling, ride-hailing and transit options into one trip.
Users can now enter a destination, tap ‘directions’ and then tap the ‘transit’ tab. The app will display routes that include cycling and ride-hailing as first- and last-mile options along with transit directions. It will display details for each leg of the trip including ride cost, wait times, potential traffic and transit departure times.
The ride-hailing feature will be available throughout the USA, and the cycling feature will initially be rolled out in 10 cities, including Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Portland, San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.
This is the latest feature in Google Maps’ ongoing effort to make itself more user-friendly for commuters and transit riders. Earlier this summer, it added new transit crowdedness predictions, allowing customers to see how crowded their bus, train, or tube is likely to be before heading out on their commute.
