Since we now all carry a cellphone in the 20th century, that tracks where we are, who we are with, and puts us in touch with basically anyone and everyone with a click of a button…! Google Maps has announced a new product that not only plans out your subway route/timing, it also has the ability to let you know how crowded the trains are before you board!
Google’s new "What's it's like" details will now show you how crowded the trains are - ranging from not crowded to at capacity - plus the level of security on board, accessibility features, and temperatures (ranging from cold to hot). As of now, it doesn’t let you know if Showtime performers are on board, so that will stay as a surprise — for now.
Transit crowdedness predictions are expanding to over 10,000 cities in 100 countries — BUT NOTE: This new Google Maps update is only available in New York and Sydney, Australia for now!
As for LIRR commuters, the updated Google Maps app will show you which cars are the least crowded (it's like winning the jackpot, eh?) and you can strategically plan where you want to board your train if you don't want to share a seat. Here's hoping that this will work for the subway as well in the future. How great would it be to know where to stand?!
If you're a transit expert who refuses to look up directions and knows your commute like the back of your hand, you can't deny that this is incredibly helpful! Living in a social distancing era, it's good to know how much air you will be sharing amongst your transit neighbors.
