Google Maps is all about choice. Plug in your desination, then decide if you want to walk, ride, catch public transport or drive from A to B – with all the possible routes laid out before you.
Now there’s another choice: ride-sharing service Taxify – which claims to be cheaper than Uber – is now integrated into Google Maps for smartphones alongside its aforementioned competitor, which has been integrated since 2016.
Users can get a Taxify fare estimate, as well as information on how close the nearest Taxify driver is and a projected trip time through the maps service, then will be prompted to open the Taxify app to hail their ride. (Catch: you need to install the app first, of course).
The new feature is being rolled out globally to 16 countries including Australia. At present, only Sydney and Melbourne commuters can access it.
"This roll-out represents our commitment to bringing Australians more choice in how they move across Sydney and Melbourne,” Taxify Australia manager Samuel Raciti told Broadsheet.
“By integrating with Google Maps, we aim to create a more seamless transport experience [whereby] users can compare trip durations across public transport systems, walking, biking and more from the tips of their fingers.”
In Australia, Taxify was first trialled in Sydney in 2017, before launching in Melbourne soon after.
