Google Maps just got a killer upgrade to make commuting easier

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Starting Wed (February. 17), Google Maps is implementing payment options on its mobile app to help manage and pay parking fees, the visitor announced on its blog. The app supports fee payments in over 400 US cities and ship fares found in over 80 worldwide agencies. It's all in a bid to encourage more contactless transactions in light of the ongoing COVID-xix pandemic, as these payment options reduce and fifty-fifty eliminate the need to swipe or tap your debit or credit cards.

Y'all tin can pay both parking meter fees and transit fares via providers like Parkmobile and Passport with Google Pay integration. A "Pay for Parking" push button will appear in Google Maps as you lot achieve your destination. Type in your assigned meter number and how long you demand to park, and so hitting "Pay" to consummate the transaction. If you find yourself running out of prepaid time, you can extend your parking session via app without existence well-nigh the physical meter.

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In the instance of public transit, Google Maps makes it possible to plan and pay for a trip right within the app. That means y'all don't need to move over to a completely different programme to pay for a trip in one area and another app for your return trip. There'southward no need to observe a physical ticket motorcar or teller, either. That ways at that place's besides less hassle with losing a ticket since it's all washed electronically. In most instances, you just browse your phone to get past turnstiles and head out to your destination.

If you lot don't already take Google Pay ready and linked to Google Maps or your Google Account, you'll need to accept care of that before you can pay for any trips. That requires a credit or debit menu. It'due south unclear if Maps volition integrate with cards, sans Google Pay, in your digital wallet at this time or if that'southward a potential characteristic going forward.

Correct at present, this new Maps characteristic is only available for Android users beyond major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. Even so, iOS support and a wider rollout is on the way. This contactless payment option should brand it simpler, at the very to the lowest degree, to become around without being concerned for your own safety when touching potentially grimy and unsafe surfaces. And eliminating the frustration of walking dorsum to a parking meter (or a potential ticket) is a major boon that should final long after pandemic restrictions lessen.

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Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Pop Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Proverb, and more. She's also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX E and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she'south not writing or gaming, she'south looking for the adjacent neat visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You lot can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.