Google has announced that the Maps will now include a tab for car services along with the ones for walking, driving and public transportation. This new tab can be accessed before starting the navigation and thankfully it will also let you compare the fares offered by different cab service providers. In India the company has partnered with Ola and thus we would be able to access both Ola and Uber right from the Maps and also compare the fares.
Next time you search for directions using the latest version of Google Maps on your mobile, it will show you a dedicated tab (see screenshot below) with information for cab services— in addition to the existing driving, public transport, or walking options that are already present.
So, next time you’re leaving work to meet a friend for dinner, or heading to a client meeting in a new city, you’ll be able to compare all your commuting options right from within the Google Maps app.
The Google Maps app not only shows the cabs that are in close vicinity to you, but you will also be able to see fare estimates and Estimated Time of their arrival. However, for this to work, the user needs to have the respective cab apps installed on the phone. For Uber users, Google Maps will give choice of uberGO and uberX services, while Ola customers can choose from Ola Mini, Ola Micro and Ola Sedan options.
Similarly, Google has partnered with 99Taxis in Brazil, Hailo in the U.K and Span, mytaxi in Germany and Spain, Gett in the UK. Users are going to find this feature tremendously useful, as they will now not have to open multiple apps and compare. Google Maps will show you everything on one single screen, making it much easier for the users.
Once user has selected a particular service, they will directly be taken to Uber or Ola app, depending on what they have chosen, and with single tap they can request the ride.
The new feature will first be rolled out for Android and Google says that these features will also be making way for iOS “very soon”. The possibilities are endless and with the ever expanding transportation options available, Google Maps might one day become a one stop destination for daily commuters and travelers alike.
