For years, people in London have been able to track buses in real time using Transport for London services. But in many smaller towns and rural areas, commuters have had to depend on printed timetables or rough estimates. That gap is now set to close, with real-time updates becoming available nationwide.
Once the feature rolls out, users will be able to open Google Maps, enter their destination, and select public transport to see exactly where their bus is and when it’s expected to arrive. Instead of relying on scheduled times, the app will provide live updates, helping passengers plan journeys with far greater confidence.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the move is part of a broader push to simplify travel and make connections between different modes of transport smoother. The goal is to make every day journeys more reliable and easier to navigate, whether commuting to work or visiting friends.
The initiative is backed by the Department for Transport and is designed to work similarly to ride-hailing apps, offering continuous updates throughout a journey. According to Google, integrating real-time data into Google Maps will help millions of people make more informed and sustainable travel choices.
This upgrade is part of the government’s wider transport strategy aimed at improving connectivity across the UK. The rollout will happen gradually, eventually covering all regions.
Meanwhile, Google is continuing to enhance its mapping platform in other ways. In the United States, new AI-powered features are helping electric vehicle drivers plan charging stops more efficiently, while its Gemini assistant is being integrated to allow more natural, conversational searches within Maps.
Although these AI features are not yet available in the UK, they signal a broader shift in how navigation apps are evolving - moving beyond directions to become smarter travel companions.
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