Tie-up between Internet search giant and DMRC means more power to the commuter

Lost in transit? Google to the rescue

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Lost in transit? Google to the rescue

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Tie-up between Internet search giant and DMRC means more power to the commuter

Commuters can now locate Metro stations, train routes, service schedules
and train fares on Google Maps Representative photo

Google Transit is a fresh feature on Google Maps, which allows hassle-free and comprehensive navigation. It already has a tie-up with Chennai MRTS, Kolkata Metro and Hyderabad Metro services. Globally, Google Transit is available across 500 cities, in the US, Canada, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa.

"In line with Delhi Metro's vision for a people-centred public transport system, we have launched several initiatives to help commuters manage their travel time, transfers, and make more informed transport decisions. The collaboration with Google is another step in this direction to make it easier for the public to plan their trips with transit information on Google Maps", said E Sreedharan, managing director, DMRC.

With the Commonwealth Games around the corner, Google Transit will benefit thousands of tourists who are likely to visit the national capital later this year. This free of cost service will be available on PCs as well as mobiles to benefit a wider spectrum of commuters.

Manik Gupta, product manager, Google India said, "Google Transit's goal is to make public transport information easily accessible and useful.u00a0 With just a click on a station, commuters can get information showing timings, stations, passing lines, frequency of service etc.u00a0 As Delhi Metro becomes the favoured public transportation for thousands of commuters every day, it would benefit by attracting new commuters and helping existing commuters to discover new routes. All this will be available on desktops as well as cell phones to make it easier for the commuters."

More importantly, this will help the DMRC rake in more revenues by attracting brand new customers. The Delhi Metro currently ferries around 9,50,000 commuters daily on its network of nearly 96 km. Even as the construction of its ambitious second phase, which will cover another 125 km in the NCR, is to be completed by October, the government has not proposed any grant or subordinate debt for the DMRC in this budget. So, the Metro will have to stack up the numbers as its field of pursuit widens further.

Mapping the way

As Google Maps provide integrated services like local information, driving directions for commuters, with Transit, Delhi Metro commuters would be able to receive information in the following way:
1.u00a0The user searches for information to reach from Place A to B on Google Maps.
2. The result shows a map with the possible route and driving directions for the commuter
3. By choosing the transit option, commuters would get first hand information on Delhi Metro's schedule and passing lines in that area
4. Commuters get to see step-by-step directions for the entire route including schedules, travel time and fares for each leg of the trip in text and on the map
5. Commuters can also switch on the 'layers' option on desktop and mobile phone to get a quick view of the entire Metro network. They can click the station icons to get train information for that station