Search giant Google and New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority have launched Google Transit for New Yorkers, giving Google users and New York’s public-transportation riders access to station and schedule knowledge for the nation’s largest transit system.

Google Transit, a feature of Google Maps, provides point-to-point public-transit trip planning. Users now have access to info about New York’s lengthy Island Rail Road, faraway Island Bus, Metro-North Railroad, and the MTA Bus Company. The feature will additionally include itineraries for regional connecting services, including New Jersey Transit services, the Port Authority’s AirTrain and the Staten Island Ferry.

Itineraries will feature station locations, schedule times, and trip-length times.

MTA officials say the Google Transit service complements existing MTA trip-planning services, including its Trip Planner and Trips 123. Trip Planner allows users, in three steps, to plan their trip by entering their start location, destination and expected arrival moment. Trip 123 gives users knowledge on bus, ferry, train and subway schedules.

“We are excited to welcome Google Maps for Transit to New York City,” said Edward Skyler, New York City’s deputy mayor. “One of the keys to increasing mass-transit usage is making it easier for folks to understand how to use the system. that partnership amidst Google and the MTA does precisely that.”

Key Features

Google provides searchers with info about a destination, such as the subway, train or bus stops serving the destination; scheduled departures from the station or stop; and nearby businesses, restaurants, attractions and amenities. Still-photo entries for popular destinations and icons for Wikipedia entries for places of interest are included.

Users seeking driving directions will be given an option to use public transportation as an alternative, defraying the use of automobiles and cutting drivers’ spending on gas.

And for those who like to walk, Google plus includes walking directions for the beginning or end of the trip,…

Original post by dhiram