Apple Working on Public Transit Feature for Maps, Job Listing Confirms

A job listing discovered by AppleInsider apparently confirms what has been rumoured for some while: Apple plans to better its Maps service by adding public transit directions.

On top of patents and whispers about the feature, there comes a job listing revealing that Apple is looking for a software engineer to join the Maps division Routing team:

“As a member of the Routing team, you will work on one of the most anticipated features of Apple Maps,” the listing states. In requirements, the company directly asks for someone with “in-depth knowledge about public transit,” both as a rider and on a technical level.

Apple Maps has been heavily criticized since its launch alongside iOS 6, which ousted Google Maps as the app loaded by default on iOS. Since then, Apple has been busy updating its mapping service: in October, Apple added a new tool for local businesses to get listed, it has brought new 3D flyover tours to new cities, and more recently users noticed that Apple Maps has started showing reviews from booking.com.

While these do include useful information, what truly represents importance — in certain scenarios — is the public transit directions. The feature was rumoured for iOS 8 but never materialized because of bad planning and developers leaving Apple.

The job listing and the forthcoming iOS 9 could bring the highly anticipated feature. This year’s Worldwide Developer Conference will kick off on June 8, so stay tuned: Apple could announce this feature. (Or not.)