Google recently updated its popular Google Transit, a service adding more cities and integration with Google Maps and Google Earth. WorldChanging.com, a Web site dedicated to exploring innovative tools to promote a better future, features an in-depth walk-through to introduce users to the new improved Google Transit.

Google Transit allows you to plan out your trip, entering the starting point, destination, and time of day, then uses all available public transportation schedules and information to plot out the most efficient possible step-by-step itinerary. You can even compare the cost of your trip with the cost of driving the same route. Google promises additional features to come thanks to its GoogleTransitDataFeed open-source project.

Autoblog Green reports that Google said, "When transit data is integrated into products like Maps and Earth, it becomes even more valuable. Our hope is that placing transit information in the context of other useful information (like business listings) will inspire people to take public transportation who may have otherwise overlooked it."

Via Autoblog Green