PC: Simon Andrews, Karachi Cantt Railway Track. Pakitsan
Dear Local Guides, need your help to find a way to add railway tracks on google maps. Please keep sharing if someone already worked on it.
Hello @SimonAndrews
Local guides can’t suggest the addition of railway tracks through edits.
Nevertheless, we can follow these routes.
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Use the “Send feedback” feature to highlight the track in satellite view.
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Suggest the addition through the community tab of Maps support forum at
https://support.google.com/maps
However, the best option would be if the agency which manages the railway track takes up with Google Maps team for inclusion. You can learn something more about that at this link
On top of what @C_T explained so well, I would like to add:
If you are confused about areas and items on the maps not accepting edits and photos, please enjoy this overview Shapes and Places - Guidance on where to add edits and photos including both flat and photospheres by PaulPavlinovich.
Those are also the map elements that local guides can not add to the map.
Cheers
Morten
@SimonAndrews if rail tracks are missing, I would suggest to figure out a way to get in touch with the company/organization operating those tracks and point them to the partner program Google offers (https://support.google.com/transitpartners/answer/1111471?hl=en&ref_topic=3521043)
Thank you so much @C_T for your prompt reply. I can approach the agency “Pakistan Railways” and request them we need to map railway tracks on google map. Before proceeding further need to under complete execution plan. Need your guidance to prepare proposal for the agency.
Thank you so much @JanVanHaver for your detailed response.I’m preparing proposal for the agency. But to proceed further I must need guidance from our community.
Thank you so much @MortenCopenhagen your provided information is very helpful.
Jan’s suggestion to inspire the transit company to team up with Google is probably the best you can do.
Step one could be trying to find the relevant person(s) at the company. Maybe searching LinkedIn could be helpful. Or just call them and ask for the person in charge of timetables. Those are the key people who are likely to be able to see the benefits of having Google help guiding passengers. And maybe even drive getting more customers because it becomes much easier to find train connections.
Best of luck and please keep us informed about your efforts.
Morten
Hello @SimonAndrews
You have to request the agency engaged in the creation of tracks.
Hi @JanVanHaver , I have done my work got approval from the concerned authority to map the railways tracks on google map.
Now we have to team up and proceed further. Need your guidance and advise. Thank you all of you for encouraging me to contact them.
I think you have misunderstood the link provided by @JanVanHaver
Is the transit company that have to manage their data. It means the Map and then all the rail stations and the timetable
Hi @ErmesT , concerned department have all the information and they are willing to help us to map the station, timing etc etc.,
@KashifMisidia @C_T @MortenCopenhagen @JanVanHaver
Please advise.
@ErmesT is correct. Partnerships between a the public transport company an Google is not something Local Guides should be involved in except suggesting they consider reaching out to Google staff via the link we suggested.
You did a good job motivating them, but you need to let them know that local guides can not play a role in setting up the data exchange partnership.
All the best
Morten
Great to hear thar there is progress @SimonAndrews - the first step is often the hardest. As far as I can read, the reply you received is to get in touch with the IT directorate, so that will be the department that should then reach out to the Maps team to take the next steps. Did you receive contact details to get in touch digitally or only a physical address? In case digital contact is possible and in case that will be in English, I will happily support you to give some background information e.g. during an online meeting.
Hi @JanVanHaver yes I got the contact details, we will meet the concerned person physically in the coming week along with our community’s local guide moderator @KashifMisidia and @Muhammad_Usman
Definitely, I have a plan to have virtual meeting with the IT department of Pakistan Railways along with our local guide connect community including you. We will keep you updated and need your guidance in each and every step to accomplish this task and help our community voluntarily.
Sounds like you’re assembling quite a nice team there @SimonAndrews . Don’t hestitate to let me know if I can assist.