Pay for parking right out of driving navigation. Plan a trip, purchase a fare, and start riding. Do both from inside Google Maps.

The ubiquitous and ultra-useful Google Maps has now some new features that allow payments using the app itself. On Wednesday, Vishal Dutta Product Manager, Google Maps, and Fausto Araujo Product Manager, Google Pay, announced in a blog that consumers can now go contactless with parking meter and transit fare payments. (Google)

Google Maps has integrated with Google Pay, parking solutions providers, and over 80 transit agencies around the world to enable digital, contact-free payments from inside the Google Maps App.

Users can therefore save time and avoid contact with surfaces that may have been touched by hundreds of people.

Parking meter payments

Feeling wary about touching those parking meters and having to sanitize your hands all over again? Thanks to the new feature in Google Maps, you may never need to go near a parking meter again, at least for paying for parking.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) has integrated with parking solutions providers Passport and ParkMobile. When navigating in your vehicle, a Pay for Parking button will appear on your app as you near your destination. Just enter the meter number, the amount of time you need to park and pay.

Paying for transit fare made quick and easy

People can now plan a trip, buy their transit fares, and get on with their journey without having to use different apps – it’s all possible from within Maps itself.

Maps now allows payment of fares for over 80 transit agencies across the globe. Accompanying the transit directions in the app will be an option to pay for your journey using the cards linked to your phone.

Pay your fare and then use your phone to tap on the fare reader when your board. Alternatively, just flash your digital ticket.

Maps expanding beyond just navigation

Last September, the Maps app started showing the spread of the pandemic in an area on your route. Later, in December, Google made it possible for verified businesses to contact customers from within the app.

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