'OK Google, How Crowded is the Number 8 Bus?'

Google has been collecting data on how many people are on trains and buses around the country, and now it's ready to share that data with Google Maps users. "Google is basing these details on past rides. For months, Google has been asking some people who use Google Maps to provide additional details about the level of crowdedness of their transit trips," Andrew J. Hawkins reports for The Verge. While these predictions won’t be based on current conditions they’re likely to improve as the app collects more data.

"In addition, Google Maps is also launching live traffic delays for buses in places where commuters don’t already have real-time information direct from local transit agencies," Hawkins reports. While many large American cities already provide this information to their riders, it could be a big help to folks riding buses in smaller communities.

These improvements to transit navigation, aren’t the only changes to Google’s navigation services, which have also added services for drivers and carpoolers.