Google Maps rolled out a new feature on the Fourth of July that allows users to see how crowded buses and other public transit options will be. The feature was first tested in Sydney last October and is now available to iOS and Android users in 200 cities around the world, including 46 metro areas within the United States such as Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and the Bay Area. Now when users look up transit directions, they’ll see information about how busy the ride is expected to be.
In developing the feature, Google Maps analyzed user reports during 6 AM-10 AM commute times. The most crowded transit lines were in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Paris, Tokyo, and New York’s L Train.
Google Maps also released real-time delays and arrivals for public buses in those 200 cities. That means that when the posted bus schedule doesn’t match real-time arrivals, Google Maps will update with exact arrival times for that bus stop. It will also pinpoint stops along your route where you might encounter more delays.
Time will tell if this feature helps users cut down their daily commute times.