Google Maps is adding some useful new features: the ability to pay for parking or buy a train ticket directly from the app.
Google Maps is integrating two mobile parking payment services into its app, Passport and ParkMobile. Both offer the ability to locate, pay and refill parking meters or parking fees via a smartphone app. These features will now also be available on Google Maps. According to the company:
Just tap the “Pay for parking” button that appears when you approach your destination. Then, enter the meter number, the amount of time you want to park and tap “Pay”. Need to add more time to your meter? Easily extend your parking session with just a few taps.
The ability to pay for parking on Google Maps will be available in more than 400 cities in the United States, including Boston, Cincinnati, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC and more, Google said. Android phone users will get the feature first, with iPhone owners soon.
Paying for public transport will work the same way. If you’re searching for transit directions on Google Maps, you’ll see an option to buy tickets displayed next to your results. Similar to paying for parking, customers must have a Google Pay account linked to a valid credit or debit card to make the transaction.
Then, customers can use their phone – whether in a touch-to-pay situation or showing a driver a digital ticket – to ride public transport. And in places like the San Francisco Bay Area, customers will be able to purchase a digital Clipper card directly from Google Maps. The feature will be available for use on more than 80 transit systems worldwide, says Google.
Several public transit agencies around the world have modernized their fare collection methods to include contactless or touch-to-pay means, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. Some who rely on weekly or monthly passes, like the London Oyster card or the San Francisco Clipper card, have also started working with Apple and Google Pay to integrate these payment passes into their applications.
It is the latest feature in Google Maps’ ongoing effort to become more user-friendly for passengers and public transit passengers. In 2019, she added new public transport overcrowding predictions, allowing customers to see how crowded their bus, train or subway is likely to be before leaving for work. He also added a feature that combines public transportation routes with bike and ride sharing options so customers can get directions using a variety of modes of transport.
Google is not the only technology giant trying to attract public transport passengers. Uber and Lyft recently started to integrate traffic directions into their respective applications. Denver-based customers can even purchase train tickets using their Uber account. Both companies are building sophisticated algorithms that rely on reams of traffic agency data for routes and schedules. In addition, it is a race between technology giants to become a one-stop shop for transportation.