Google launched a new local Traffic Tab on Google Maps in Nigeria on Wednesday. At the 3rd Google for Nigeria event held early in the year, Google launched navigation instructions in a Nigerian accent. At the same event, it also promised to launch improved navigation maps for Lagos commercial bus users.
Now it is here. The new local traffic tab offers users a snapshot of the information that matters most in their commute, including traffic and weather with new directions experience using keke, okada, danfo, and BRT. The tab also features information on current expected fare levels for danfo and other traffic options recommended.
You can access this local information by tapping the ‘traffic’ tab located at the bottom of the map page.
According to Jeff Albertson, Senior Product Manager, Google Maps who was at the launch event with Google Director for Nigeria, Mrs Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor, “Lagos has a distinct energy, dynamism and vibe that one does not find anywhere and is a very important place for Google Maps.”
“What we have built for Lagos is a global first for Google Maps, and is a step toward helping people in many other cities where transport is informally organised as it is in Nigeria.”
“This is the first time anywhere in the world that such is being launched; the next step is to get a feedback from the users to improve on their experiences.”
“If the feedback is all positive, then, we will move to other places, but it will be a little while before we expand outside Lagos,’’
This feature is currently available only on the Android platform.
