To provide commuters with a seamless ticket purchase experience, Google Transit uses General Transit Feedback Specification (GTFS) ticketing extensions. Transit agencies who provide GTFS data with the ticketing extensions can include a ticketing purchasing link in Google Maps transit trip results.
Ticketing extensions help commuters:
- Enter the start point and destination only once in Google Maps and have details pre-populated in the ticketing site.
- Purchase tickets easily.
- Compare multiple packages to find the best tickets.
Use a ticketing link to improve user experience
When a user tries to find directions on Google Maps, the search result shows the available routes. If the user clicks a journey provided by a participating agency, the ticketing link displays in the trip directions. This link is generated based on the information from the GTFS ticketing extension and contains details of the given transit leg.
Participating agencies can use the information provided within the link and bring the user to the relevant mobile app or web page with the trip details pre-populated. Users can then purchase tickets for the trip.
How the ticketing link works
To provide a ticketing link in Google Maps, participating agencies must provide details via the GTFS ticketing extension. Learn more about the GTFS ticketing extension.
The generated links will use IDs found within the static GTFS feed for the transit journey a commuter searches for. The link should lead users to a ticketing purchasing site that is pre-populated with the relevant details that match the details within the link’s query string. These include details such as the service date, identifiers of the trip and more.
To get support from Google Transit and enable this feature, contact us at the Transit Partners Help Center. Send us appropriate details such as transit agency name, feed name, deeplink samples, validation errors or warnings.
Understand Google Wallet integration
In addition to ticketing links, transit partners can also integrate with Google Wallet so users can purchase and save their tickets to their Wallet. With Wallet integration, users can find their existing tickets or the different purchase options for each leg of the transit journey.
For more details on Wallet integrations, refer to the open loop transit guide. You can also contact your Google business point of contact or sign up here.
Data Access
The Google Maps Transit Pay Program (“Transit Pay”) collects information from our users when they submit queries for transit routes in Google Maps. The information collected may include origin and destination details. Our Privacy Policy provides more detail on the information we collect and why we collect it. The Privacy Policy also details how users can update, manage, export, and delete user information. For purposes of fulfilling a user request, we may share user details with the Partner, to be used in accordance with the Partner's privacy policy. Usage metrics may also be shared with the Partners for their integrations.
Transit Pay also collects data from our Partners in order to surface their transit offerings to Google users. The information collected may include pricing and availability, logos and other brand features, deeplinks to the Partner's app or website, and other relevant service information. We may use this information to improve Google products and services, subject to our agreement with the Partner.
Ranking
Transit payment options are ranked according to the following factors:
- Data accuracy: Transit agencies that provide accurate and real-time departure and arrival time data are ranked higher.
- Popularity: Ticket options are prioritized based on their conversion rates.
- Convenience: Based on the ease of the provider’s checkout experience.
Generally, the most important factor is data accuracy in order to ensure that users always have the most accurate transit data across Google Maps.
For more details on ranking, please refer to this Google Maps help center article.
Grounds for restriction, suspension, or termination
Google may, at its sole discretion, decide to suspend a partner's content (partially or completely) from Transit Pay for any of the following reasons:
- We determined that feed quality deteriorated beyond what is acceptable. This includes feed quality issues with price accuracy, completeness, or inability to follow support provided by Google to resolve issues with the data;
- We determined that the service provides deceptive, and/or harmful user experience and may cause harm to Google, its users, or third parties;
- We detected other conduct or data issues that frustrate the purposes of Google Maps Transit Pay Program or its ability to operate in a reasonable manner.
In cases 1 and 2, Google will suspend surfacing of the feed automatically and will notify the partner via email about the suspension within 24 hours. If the partner restarts providing updated feed, the service will be automatically resurfaced without a separate notice to the partner.
In case 3, Google will notify the partner via email with a request to rectify the situation. If the partner fails to do so within 30 days, we reserve the right to suspend display of the partner's services on Google Maps. Partners can re-engage with Google for re-approval.
Google may, at its sole discretion, terminate a partner's participation in Transit Pay. Where required by law, Google will provide 30 days notice prior to termination, except where immediate termination is permitted, such as in the event of repeated policy violations.
Filing a complaint
If you want to file a complaint about Transit Pay or the service you have received, email mobility-partners@google.com.
If your content was taken down and you believe that it should not have been, or if you filed a complaint with Transit Pay and you are unsatisfied with the resolution, you may file an appeal by emailing mobility-partners@google.com.