Mumbai: 

The feature, now live on Google Maps, enables commuters to view live arrival times and updated schedules for BEST buses at any stop across Mumbai. With support for Marathi, Hindi, and English, the service caters to the city’s diverse population and is designed to help passengers plan their journeys with greater accuracy and confidence.

To modernise daily commuting for residents, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has partnered with Google Maps to introduce real-time tracking for city buses. The new service, launched on Wednesday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is intended to make public transport more accessible, reliable, and efficient for thousands of Mumbaikars.

Service expected to encourage greater use of public transport, lesser traffic

To implement the system, BEST has adopted the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), a globally recognised open-source platform for transit data integration. Over the past two months, BEST engineers have worked alongside Google’s technical team to integrate the feature, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for commuters.

State authorities consider the initiative a significant step towards improving urban mobility and public transport infrastructure. By providing instant access to up-to-date travel information, the service is expected to encourage greater use of public transport, reduce road congestion, and support environmentally sustainable travel options.

Live updates for Mumbai metro & local train services

Beyond bus tracking, the platform includes real-time updates for Mumbai’s metro and suburban rail networks, offering a comprehensive view of the city’s multimodal transport system. While previous versions of Google Maps displayed estimated times based on fixed schedules, the new integration delivers live data, allowing for more precise travel planning.

Commuters can access the service by opening Google Maps on any Android or iOS device, entering a destination, selecting the directions option, and tapping the public transport icon. The app then provides detailed route options involving buses, trains, and metro services, complete with real-time arrival information. Users can also search specific bus stops to check which buses are currently en route.

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