Google adds wheelchair-friendly public transport routes to Maps in certain cities

Google has added the option in its navigation app Maps so that when displaying a route via public transport, the facilities necessary for wheelchair users are taken into account. The feature is available in select cities, such as London.

In order to use the routes intended for wheelchair users, the option ‘wheelchair accessible’ must be checked in the settings. Once that is done, Maps will show a list of possible routes to the desired destination, taking into account the mobility requirements for wheelchair use. This concerns, for example, stops with accessible platforms and entrances and exits.

The ‘wheelchair friendly’ route option is only available in Maps for the cities of London, Tokyo, Mexico City, Boston and Sydney. However, Google says it looks forward to working with more public transport companies in the coming months to introduce such routes for wheelchair users. This probably means that these routes will eventually become available in more cities.