Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Google Maps has ceased providing public transport information for Plovdiv, according to a report by “Capital.” The cessation follows a lack of communication between the local administration and Google since 2022.
The deputy mayor was reportedly unaware of the service halt, prompting efforts to resolve the issue. In the interim, outdated information from Moovit and old bus stop maps serve as the only alternatives for residents and visitors.
For years, Google Maps has been an essential tool for navigating urban transport worldwide, enabling users to find routes using various transportation modes. However, as of this week, Plovdiv’s bus route information is no longer available on the platform.
Users can still access directions for driving, walking, and train travel, but bus information has been removed. Although Google has not released an official statement on the matter, earlier reports attribute the issue to insufficient data from the municipality.
Plovdiv’s public transport data was initially integrated into Google Maps in 2019 through a collaboration between local IT specialists and the city administration.
Despite this progress, the city transport system never connected to GPS tracking, resulting in a lack of real-time updates on bus locations. Consequently, both Google Maps and physical bus stops have provided inaccurate information.
Local experts have faced significant challenges in updating transport data due to the municipality’s lack of communication since early 2022. Efforts to engage the previous administration were fruitless, and attempts to gather data from news articles about service changes proved inadequate.
Recently, Google reached out again for updated information. However, without new data from the municipality, the project remains stalled. Plovdiv’s administration has faced ongoing criticism for failing to communicate effectively regarding the electronic management of transport.
When contacted for comments, local officials, including the director of Transport Organization and Control, were unavailable. The deputy mayor learned of the situation through media reports and citizen inquiries and could not provide immediate alternatives for checking bus routes.
In the absence of updated digital resources, some bus stops still display printed maps, though these are often outdated and do not reflect changes due to construction projects. The primary online resource for transport information is a slow-loading website, and the Moovit app, which contains outdated schedules, remains the secondary option.
The new administration appears unprepared to address this issue, raising questions about the integration of local transport data with global platforms like Google.
It remains uncertain how the restoration of this service will proceed. Even if the municipality resumes communication, it could take months for the updated information to be processed and made available again on Google Maps.
The discontinuation of public transport information on Google Maps highlights a significant challenge for Plovdiv residents and visitors who rely on the platform for navigation.
The lack of real-time updates and accurate information exacerbates the issue, leaving many without reliable resources for planning their commutes.
As the situation unfolds, the local administration faces increasing pressure to address the communication breakdown and ensure that accurate public transport data is available.
The future of Plovdiv’s public transport integration with global digital platforms remains uncertain, underscoring the importance of effective municipal communication and data management in the digital age.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members