Google Maps to show nationwide real-time public transport data

Google Maps will in the future display real-time data for public transport (ÖPNV) nationwide in Germany. To this end, the company has entered into a cooperation with Delfi e.V. member (Continuous Electronic Passenger Information) Connect Fahrplanauskunft.

Data from Delfi

According to the announcement from Delfi, the goal of the cooperation is to provide Google with central and consolidated access to quality-assured real-time information (Delfi-Realtime) on timetables from all over Germany. Delfi e. V. is an organization founded based on an agreement between the federal and state governments, whose members are regional transport associations and service companies. The organization's goal is to improve and strengthen local and long-distance public transport through continuous passenger information.

The agreement gives Google the opportunity to obtain all real-time data, including comprehensive support services, directly from Delfi from a single source, it continues. “This creates efficient structures, clear responsibilities, and a reliable basis for further processing and integration of the data.” For users, this should provide better planning security, for example, to be able to plan for delays.

The technical implementation of data provision for Google Maps is carried out via the Delfi-RegioCluster Nord. This is operated by the Bremen/Lower Saxony Transport Association (VBN). The data is provided by the two RegioClusters operated by VBN and rms GmbH.

Test run for the 2024 European Championship

The temporary cooperation between Google and Delfi in the course of the 2024 European Football Championship can be considered the first test run of the partnership. At that time, Delfi provided nationwide public transport data for stops and timetables and delivered real-time data for punctuality forecasts. Google Maps supplemented the connection search and navigation with public transport with further information on places and activities.

Google recently integrated its chatbot Gemini into Maps. In Germany too, it should be possible to navigate  as a pedestrian and cyclist by voice. In addition, Gemini also knows which restaurants nearby have a good rating or which district you are currently in. For this, Gemini can access both real-time search and the Knowledge Graph – Google's gigantic database of information.

(afl)