Public Transport customers across greater metropolitan Sydney will now find it easier to use trains, buses, ferries and light rail after the NSW Government and Google teamed up to create a new addition to Google Maps.

Customers searching for directions on Google Maps traditionally have the choice to drive, walk or cycle, but from today users in NSW will see another option providing a comprehensive summary of convenient public transport journeys to their destinations.

The NSW Government is ensuring customers have the best tools and latest technology to help them navigate our public transport network.

The news means Sydney now joins global cities including London, New York and Hong Kong that also have public transport on Google Maps.

The NSW Government is listening to customers, and more people are turning to the internet and mobile phones to help them plan journeys.

This is also seen as an opportunity to attract new customers – with Google in NSW receiving almost 1 million location searches every day, the NSW Government expects the tool to encourage people who don’t normally use public transport to give it a try.

Public transport on Google Maps complements the hugely popular Transport Info 131500 website that has more than 2.5 million visits every month.

Transport Info 131500 is still the best tool for information about trackwork and unscheduled interruptions. At this stage public transport information will be updated to Google each week.

Google Australia engineering director Alan Noble said the addition of public transport would benefit locals and tourists exploring greater metropolitan Sydney.

"We're excited to welcome Australia’s largest public transport agency to Google Maps," Mr Noble said. 

"This is an important addition to Google Maps as our goal is to give people as much information as possible on how to get to their destination."

While Transport for NSW has worked closely with Google, the NSW Government is also excited that the rich public transport data has been modified into a new format which will help to inspire future third party application developers.

The NSW Government is happy to talk to any developer who wants to use the data to help customers, and ultimately increase patronage of public transport.

Public Transport on Google Maps is an ongoing project for Transport for NSW and future updates could include real-time updates, locations of car parks, bike racks and lockers.