Google Helps Users Navigate New York Public Transit SystemGoogle Helps Users Navigate New York Public Transit System

Google Transit now assists New York City residents and visitors with planning trips via public transit, car, or foot.

New York State and City leaders joined Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page at Grand Central Station Tuesday to announce the launch of a feature that makes it easier to navigate the largest transit system in the United States. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs New York City's transit system, gives Web site visitors the option of planning their travels with directions from Google.

Google Transit incorporates the city's subway stops, bus routes, and commuter trains to outlying areas, with its map features, including street views.

Users simply type in their departure point and destination to receive written and visual instructions on how best to get there. Google Transit allows users to choose their mode of transportation. It explains when and where to change trains and how long it should take for the next train or bus to arrive.

It also reports the time needed to walk to and from subway stations and bus stops, although those times will undoubtedly vary greatly depending on the users' familiarity with the area, their walking speeds, and the number of people crowding a particular street or block at any given time.

New York Governor David A. Paterson and several other public officials attended the announcement event. The MTA also placed a "Google Translate" option on its Web page, so the tool can be useful for many of the city's non-English-speaking tourists, visitors, and immigrants. That feature translates New York City's public transportation information into 23 languages.