Jefferson Lines now on Google Transit

Planning a trip on Jefferson Lines just got easier as the Minneapolis-based bus company has partnered with Google Transit.

As of this week, passengers can use the application to check Jefferson bus schedules and routes, and get information on how to use public transportation to get to and from the station and around town once they reach their destinations.

"Joining Google Transit gives our passengers another option for planning their trip, easily comparing travel times with driving and seamlessly integrating with local transit on each end," said Becky Alper, a Jefferson spokeswoman

It is believed to be the first inter city bus company to partner with Google Transit.

In a statement, the company said partnering with Google Transit is "evidence of the company's continued effort to place travel information directly in the hands of consumers, making each trip more convenient."

Jefferson Lines, which was founded in 1919, has routes in 13 states, and serves cities such as Minneapolis, Duluth, Sioux Falls, Madison, Wis., Kansas City, Des Moines, Omaha, Tulsa, Wichita, Little Rock and Butte, Montana.

The company also has a bus tracker feature on its website. That allows passengers and those waiting for guest to check the real-time status of any bus on any route.

Google Transit is accessible through the Google Maps App available on all mobile devices. The app integrates transit stop, route, schedule, and fare information.