Mumbai News: BEST Launches Real-Time Bus Tracking On Google Maps, Easing Commutes For Travelers

Starting today, planning bus journeys in Mumbai becomes significantly easier as Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), in collaboration with Google, has launched real-time tracking of BEST buses on Google Maps.

This new feature is aimed at making bus travel across the city more efficient and commuter-friendly.

The integration allows commuters to view live bus arrival times, routes, and delays directly on the Google Maps app.

Estimated arrival times will be shown in green or red, depending on current traffic and bus conditions. The data will be updated in real-time through BEST's internal systems, providing a more accurate picture of daily bus operations.

The service was officially launched on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. With a fleet of around 2,700 buses and a daily ridership of approximately 32 lakh passengers, BEST is one of the city’s largest public transport providers after suburban trains. This move is expected to significantly enhance the commuting experience for millions of daily travelers.

Additionally, the real-time tracking information is now available in Marathi and Hindi, apart from English. Commuters can choose their preferred language via the Google Maps app or through their phone’s language settings.“All BEST commuters are encouraged to make use of this new feature, which will ensure faster and more efficient travel,” a BEST official stated.

On this occasion CM Fadnavis said “ This collaboration between BEST and Google Map is one of the important step towards strengthening of Public Transport service in Mumbai City .

This service will also benefit the BEST Undertaking. This will eliminate the uncertainty that bus passengers had about getting a bus. As a result, it will help to make their travel easier.

"According to S.V. R. Srinivas, GM BEST,  the collaboration of BEST buses with the Google Map will help all Mumbaikar to plan their journey easily and  conveniently as desired. Roli Agarwal, India Head, Google Maps Partnerships, said.

"We are pleased to announce our collaboration with BEST to introduce real-time bus information on Google Maps. Providing comprehensive and accurate public transport information is a key priority for Google Maps, and we believe this integration will greatly enhance the commuting experience for the people of Mumbai. Our collaboration with local authorities is crucial to our shared goal of creating helpful and reliable experiences on Google Maps, and we are committed to providing timely updates as information becomes available from our partners."

This initiative is part of Google's broader commitment to enhancing public transport information across its products. Google has partnered with numerous transport authorities nationwide over the years, enabling millions of users in over 15 Indian cities to access information for various modes of public transport, including metros, trains, and buses.   

How it works

• Open the Google Maps app on your Android or iOS device.Enter your destination and tap the ‘Go’ icon and enter the ‘Source’ and ‘Destination’ locations.

• If not already selected, select the ‘Public Transport’ mode (the little tram icon) to view times, bus numbers, routes, and real-time arrival information highlighted in green or red.

• Tapping a recommended result allows you to view more information on the route’s stops.It is also possible to access real-time bus information by searching for a particular bus stop.

• Select it and its listed bus numbers to see a listing of all arriving buses, with location-enabled buses displaying their real-time ETA (indicated by the green or red beacon).