Article: Google Maps Adds Sydney Public Transport Directions (At Last!)

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Google Maps Adds Sydney Public Transport Directions (At Last!)

Google Maps Adds Sydney Public Transport Directions (At Last!)

Sydneysiders rejoice! Google Maps has finally added public transport directions for buses, trains and ferries.

Search for directions between two Sydney addresses and you'll also be offered public transport directions where available, including the times of relevant services. The system will default to choosing the fastest trip, but you can click the 'More options' link and specify if you want train, bus, ferry or light rail. The search isn't rock-solid — it didn't always spot ferry trips in my early tests — but even in an imperfect form, this is a long-overdue addition. (Sydney has had directions for the light rail since 2009, but that's only a tiny part of the system.)

Sydney joins Adelaide (which has had the option since 2008), Perth (ditto), Canberra (2009) and Cairns (also 2009) in offering full public transport directions via Google Maps.

Brisbane promised to add the option in 2010, as did Melbourne last year, but it still hasn't happened. So OK, Melbourne and Brisbane: time to step up. No more rubbish excuses about how data is hard to integrate; just make it happen.