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?
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.
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.
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
Is your feeling based on the fact that you can only get driving directions offline (not even walking!)?
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.
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.
The missing features are very basic things, like showing stops on a map or which location within the stop the bus stops at.
That’s just missing data, I don’t have that issue at all.
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.
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It’s quite decent in the UK. But I wish it had more customisability. Sometimes it cannot understand that I’d rather walk 15 minutes than buy a bus ticket for a 3 minute bus ride. But if someone was disabled and got free bus rides because of that, then of course it would make sense for them.
It can tap into bus data to see when it’s late and stuff. But sometimes the bus company messes up the data. Oops.
It also can’t support intermediate destinations via public transport (for example wanting to get somewhere via somewhere else)
Google Mapstransit is still a frustrating experienceIf 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
Try the Transit app, by Transit,inc…
It’s a lot better than anything out there, as long as your area is supported.
Transit is the best! Every once in a while I attempt to go back to Google Maps hoping it’s approved and then immediately run back to Transit.
I usually check navigation on both google maps & citymapper and follow the one that give the most sane directions.
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.
That’s why we need openstreetmap. Its made by people in the community so it is as good as the people who use it.
It’s still the best experience for me because it’s the only one.
Stop using google
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.
Google in general, no just maps.
For a maps solution OSM.
Does OSM support turn by turn navigation with live traffic / public transit updates?
