Google Maps Gains Real-Time 'Crowdedness' Transit Data, Live Food Delivery Status, and More

Google Maps gained three new features today to help users stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, including an expansion of its live transit "crowdedness" status information.

google maps crowdedness
Crowdedness data shows the real-time state of transit lines when users look up directions. The information is crowdsourced and relies on in-app feedback from users. Before today, Google Maps only showed the data for stations, but that has now been expanded to buses, trains, and subways.

Avoiding holiday crowds might have always been your thing, but this year, we’re making it especially easy for everyone. If you need to take transit, Google Maps can help you more easily social distance with live crowdedness information. On Android and iOS globally, you’ll start seeing how crowded your bus, train, or subway line is right now based on real-time feedback from Google Maps users around the world (wherever data is available).

In September, Google Maps rolled out a COVID-19 overlay that can show how cases are trending in areas so users can make informed decisions about traveling. The overlay showed the seven-day average of cases per 100,000 people and whether cases are rising and falling. From today, the overlay also shows the all-time number of confirmed cases and deaths, with links to local resources.

Finally, Google now shows the live status of takeout and delivery in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil and India when users book or order from Google Maps. As well as seeing expected wait times and delivery fees, users can reorder favorites right from within the app.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

mw360 Avatar
38 months ago

Read the title and thought, “Yuck! Who is ordering live food?”
Isn't that exactly why we're all in this mess?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deeddawg Avatar
38 months ago
'tis the season...

Google sees you when you're sleeping
Google knows when you're awake
Google knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for Google's sake!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
38 months ago

The information is crowdsourced and relies on in-app feedback from users
Huh, you'd think it could be done automatically (for opted-in users) based on regular pinging of other phones in bluetooth range. There must be enough Android phones in circulation to make that a pretty good guide to how busy your immediate area is.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
38 months ago
Read the title and thought, “Yuck! Who is ordering live food?”
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cybbe Avatar
38 months ago

Is this what you see as an American logged into google maps looking at London? 'The' Regents Park..?
Interesting. I see that same, and I live within walking distance of it. Then I checked the Royal Parks website, and it seems like both "The Regent's Park" and "The Green Park" are actually official names. It makes some sense grammatically, but I've never heard either described with "The".

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks

Apple Maps has "The Regent's Park" as well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
38 months ago

Huh? I swear I have had the crowd on transit feature at least 2 years. It always asks me how full my bus, train etc was and shows me how full it is when I look up my next direction
Same here. Not since 2 years but for a good while. I guess we were Beta testers without knowing?

By the way, I love Google Maps, I still think it is king in the segment, but the more they add to it, the more convoluted it gets. I prefer when it was more intuitive and you didn't have to look twice for basic functionality. My usage interest is just navigation and exploration of new places.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Preliminary Weights and Dimensions

Friday September 29, 2023 12:34 pm PDT by
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same...
uk bank account apple wallet 2

Apple Wallet's New Bank Account Feature Likely to Expand to U.S.

Friday September 29, 2023 8:11 pm PDT by
Starting with the iOS 17.1 beta released this week, iPhone users in the U.K. can add debit and credit cards from select banks in the country to the Wallet app and view their available balances and latest transactions for those accounts. Apple calls this feature Connected Cards, and it's currently available in the U.K. only, but there is now evidence to suggest it will expand to the U.S. in...
iPhone 15 Pro Cameras

Apple Says iPhone 15 Pro's Titanium Frame Does Not Contribute to Overheating Issue

Saturday September 30, 2023 11:10 am PDT by
Apple today said it plans to release an iOS 17 software update with a bug fix for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, and the company has since shared additional details about the matter with MacRumors. Importantly, Apple said the issue is not related to the titanium frame. Contrary to a report this week, Apple said the iPhone 15 Pro's design does not contribute to...