SEPTA: You now can use Google to plan trips

SEPTA has entered the age of Google.

As of today, all subway, light rail and regional rail routes and schedules will be synced with Google Maps, an online program that lets users plan travel routes for free, SEPTA officials announced this morning.

Philadelphia is now one of more than 400 cities and regions worldwide to merge its public transportation system with Google Maps.

The program already allows users to plan travel routes around the world by car or on foot. When travelers enter a starting point and destination in the Philadelphia region, they will now have an option to see their route via public transit as well.

Bus routes, which SEPTA officials say are more complicated to merge with Google because of the number of routes and vehicles, should be available on Google Maps by the end of the year.

SEPTA also will launch a Twitter account on Friday through which riders can view up-to-the-minute travel alerts. The travel alerts also will be broadcast at all regional rail stations and at the 21 subway stations in the city equipped with electronic signage.

A link to Google Maps can be found on SEPTA's homepage, www.septa.com, and also at maps.google.com.