this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2023
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Google Maps transit is still a frustrating experience despite the latest changes (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 10 months ago by ijeff@lemdro.id to c/android@lemdro.id
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[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 42 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I kind of assumed most people working on Google maps are car first people, and the transit stuff was a second class concern. This isn't based on any facts, just a gut feeling.

The most annoying things for me are how it's kind of hard when looking at the map to see what stops are where. Like, I have to fuck with the zoom to get it to show me DeKalb Ave is there, and then it doesn't even tell me which trains stop there.

And forget about getting any useful bus info. I know generally where the b41 goes. Why isn't it easy to see on the map?

[–] aeharding@lemmy.world 19 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Well, yeah, just look at the latest Google Maps update. The new maps layer overemphasizes highways with high contrast. Even places like Amsterdam. Doesn’t matter zoom level. If you are not getting around by a car, everything is low contrast shit.

[–] oxideseven@lemmy.ca 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Weirder still is that they emphasized highways but always make people drive through small residential neighborhoods, back alleys, and parking lots to save a minute or two.

I need a maps alternative that focuses on keeping me on roads meant for actual through traffic.

[–] biddy@feddit.nl 1 points 10 months ago

OSMand tends to choose a much more intuitive route.

[–] fossphi@lemm.ee 9 points 10 months ago

Yes, it's so freaking annoying that I've to constantly fiddle with zoom levels just because I want my fucking map to show me the names of the stations and streets. I guess the technology isn't there yet. But somehow, Google has figured out how to constantly display the names of businesses which have paid them.

Anyway, I've been using more and more of Open Street Maps with the Organic Maps app, and it's a refreshing experience

[–] Hello_there@kbin.social 28 points 10 months ago (2 children)

These all seem like nitpicks. Maps transit is still the best way to figure out to go between points and it works in multiple countries with the same interface.

[–] HidingCat@kbin.social 10 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Yea, like, basically the complaints boil down to, why am I not being handheld throughout the process more?

For me I just need the general direction and what bus/train line direction to take.

Feels like people in general are getting worse at basic spatial awareness.

[–] Amaltheamannen@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The missing features are very basic things, like showing stops on a map or which location within the stop the bus stops at.

[–] HidingCat@kbin.social 1 points 10 months ago

That's just missing data, I don't have that issue at all.

[–] Carighan@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

And to be fair, it'd be cool if these - comparatively small - changes happen. But using transit routing frequently here, I have no real complaints with it. It works fine.

[–] eager_eagle@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

~~Google Maps~~ transit is still a frustrating experience

[–] maynarkh@feddit.nl 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

In most European urban areas, it's not more frustrating than driving.

[–] Kusimulkku@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago

Really really depends on the situation

[–] lightnegative@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago

If I didn't have Google Maps Transit to navigate western Europe, Singapore and even Los Angeles I'd be completely screwed because I come from a country with next to no public transport and had no idea how it was meant to work

[–] brax@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

One of the routes I take tries to get me to make an illegal crossing through a busy street to get to a bus shelter on the other side.

A short walk down the sidewalk, there's lights with a crosswalk. And just on the other side there? A much safer to access bus shelter that the same bus stops at.

There's seemingly no way to report this stupid route, either.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 3 points 10 months ago

That's why we need openstreetmap. Its made by people in the community so it is as good as the people who use it.

[–] schizoidman@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago

I usually check navigation on both google maps & citymapper and follow the one that give the most sane directions.

[–] Empricorn@feddit.nl 2 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Is it worse than the alternative? I'm no Google loyalist these days, but if you're like me you have no idea what the alternative transit guide even is!

[–] Canuck@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

Open Street Map. If something isn't accurate, you just update it like Wikipedia. I made some updates to my city, and now it works flawlessly

[–] skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl 3 points 10 months ago

I use the app's by local transit services and organisations (9292, NS) and so far that's working out pretty well.

They don't have the reminder to indicate when your stop is coming up, but the last two or three times I tried to use that with Google Maps it just didn't warn me, so I don't think I'm missing out on much.

There are a bunch of open source transit apps as well, but little work as well as Google does when it comes to planning trips and finding alternatives. Sometimes there just isn't any open data about public transit and only a few shitty commercial apps have up to date information, but you could always check Google if the routes they suggest seem inefficient or too good to be true.

[–] DynamoSunshirtSandals@possumpat.io 1 points 10 months ago

Citymapper is the gold standard. Osmand is excellent, except for delays. Many countries have third party top-tier apps for transit and train navigation -- Trainline comes to mind in the UK, but it varies by region.

[–] Compactor9679@lemm.ee 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Stop using google

[–] isVeryLoud@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What do you recommend instead for transit?

Google Maps lets me know when to get off my stop, and where to head next, in real time, as well as updates on whether metros or trains are late and when the next one is coming.

[–] Compactor9679@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Google in general, no just maps.

For a maps solution OSM.

[–] isVeryLoud@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Does OSM support turn by turn navigation with live traffic / public transit updates?