In collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Health (DOH), Google now adds 19 existing routes of DOTr’s free hospital shuttle services on the public transport tab of Maps.
The initiative to integrate locally relevant information onto Maps is part of Google’s response efforts to help in the fight against COVID-19. Aside from Metro Manila, the routes include San Jose del Monte, Bulacan up to Cabuyao, Laguna. To use this, follow these steps:
- Launch Google Maps via app or web.
- Enter your intended destination.
- Tap “Directions”.
- Select the public transit tab. This is the train icon which comes after the car and motorcycle icons.
- Maps will immediately pull up a recommended route which uses the DOTr’s hospital shuttle routes, when available.
With the update, medical frontliners can calculate their estimated travel time and conveniently find the best routes and schedule to get from their home to their hospital and vice versa. Soon this feature will also include more free shuttle services added by each local government unit.
Google Philippines’ country director Bernadette Nacario says, “Google Philippines strives to use our technology to provide help and support during this challenging time. We hope that by making the routes of the DOTr’s free rides accessible on Google Maps, we are helping provide ease and convenience to the daily transport of our frontliners.”
DOH-certified COVID-19 reference laboratory hospitals will also appear on Google search or maps upon typing the keywords “covid testing.”
However, following necessary protocol by referring to the screening tool on the DOH COVID-19 website and calling the COVID-19 hotline (02-894-COVID / 02-89426843) before going to any of the facilities is still highly encouraged since certain hospitals have reached their capacity and won’t be able to accommodate patients anymore.
Lead photo is a screenshot from Google Maps
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Writer: JOY THERESE GOMEZ
