Melbourne Finally Gets Public Transport Data Onto Google Maps, Escapes Time Rift

In news we're filing under About Bloody Time, Melbourne has finally caught up with the rest of the world in getting its public transport data integrated with Google Maps. The news was confirmed by Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan this morning, almost a year after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Reddit (so young and hip!) that the state's public transport timetables had been made available for use by third party apps. PTV mobile app, consider yourself deleted.

Watch out tramTRACKER. You're next.

The long-awaited Google Transit update means that Melbourne can finally join Sydney in (relative) public transport bliss, who've had the technology for FOUR years already. It will mean that PT users can now plan journeys using the ubiquitous navigation app, as opposed to the — let's call them 'less reliable' — alternatives built by Public Transport Victoria. Seriously, how is my tram somehow further away from me now than it was two minutes ago?!

Minister Allan acknowledged the delay in her announcement, attributing it to Google's "additional data requirements". "We've now got it right," Allan said. "Because the last thing you'd want to see is this being introduced and not working properly". That may sound like a cop-out, given that basically every other major city in the world has had this up and running for years. Of course, that's only until you remember that these are the same people responsible for Myki.

The updated Google Maps app includes routes, schedules and stop information for trains, trams and buses. It cannot currently provide real time information on delays and cancellations, although Minister Allan said that that would be part of the "next stage in development".

Baby steps, people. Baby steps.

Via The Herald Sun. Image: Dollar Photo Club.