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Transport for Edinburgh has partnered with Google to provide access to real-time service information on Google Maps to passengers of Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams in Scotland.

This is claimed to be the first-ever real-time service provided to the people of Scotland.

Desktop and smartphone apps of Google Maps will now use real-time predictions to offer exact directions between places in the city, after considering delays and diversions. Live updates will also be provided on every bus and tram in the city’s fleet.

This information will also be integrated with the Transport for Edinburgh app, as well as that of the websites of Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, reported Traffictechnologytoday.com.

"This latest innovation underlines our commitment to harness technology that improves our customer service."

Lothian Buses chairman Jim McFarlane was quoted by Business Quarter as saying: "We appreciate just how important it is for our customers to have timely and accurate information.

"Along with our travel and mobile ticketing apps, and access to free Wi-Fi across our bus and tram network, this latest innovation underlines our commitment to harness technology that improves our customer service."

In case of any delays in bus or tram service due to traffic, alternative journeys will be given to enable people reach their destinations quicker.

This initiative has been supported by transport data specialist ITO World and the City of Edinburgh Council.

ITO is an an agency for Google’s public transit data. It offers data conversion services so that public transport information in Google Maps are relevant and accurate.

ITO World commercial and delivery director Mike Jacklin was quoted by Traffictechnology.com as saying: "Providing the travelling public with access to accurate, reliable real-time information from their mobile phones through applications such as Google Maps, increases confidence in using public transport and improves their travel options."

Image: Passengers will receive live updates on Edinburgh trams through Google Maps. Photo: courtesy of Ad Meskens via Wikipedia.