Google Maps will help ensure autowallahs don’t overcharge you now

Starting today, Google Maps will become even more useful for Delhiites who depend a great deal on autorickshaws for their daily commute. Global search engine giant Google is adding autorickshaws to the growing list of public transport modes in Maps for Android. This means that starting today, Android users in the National Capital, can make use of turn-by-turn navigation even when they are commuting via an autorickshaw. Moreover, the Google Maps service will also offer estimated fares to help ensure autowallahs don’t overcharge you now. 

The information will be based on the expected trip route and the official fare model shared by the Delhi Traffic Police, according to Google. 

“The idea of this feature is to incorporate one of most commonly used modes of public transport in Google Maps and share transparent information about the price of the journey. Currently, for an unfamiliar journey, commuters often overpay and don't have an idea about the distance or best route. The feature will also help the users plan their journey better, so they could look at the expected cost of the auto-rickshaw ride and decide whether they want to take it all the way, or perhaps take a different mode of transport instead -- like a bus or the metro,” Vishal Dutta, Product Manager, Google Maps said. 

In order to make use of the service, Android users must have the latest version of Google Maps installed on their phones. This version is called version 10.6. Once updated to the latest version of Google Maps, Android users will be able to see the autorickshaw results in the app’s “Also Consider” section. There is no word when the feature will be coming to iOS devices.  

Here is a step by step guide on how you can use the new feature in Google Maps on Android: 

1. Update Google Maps to the latest version, version 10.6 

2. Open the app, search for a destination, then tap on directions and go to the public transport tab 

3. The autorickshaw result will appear in the "Also Consider" section 

4. After choosing the mode of transport (auto-rickshaw icon) on the screen, the app will show the estimated price of the journey and the route’s traffic information 

5. Tap ‘Navigate’ to start the trip 

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