Well, yeah, just look at the latest Google Maps update. The new maps layer overemphasizes highways with high contrast. Even places like Amsterdam. Doesn’t matter zoom level. If you are not getting around by a car, everything is low contrast shit.

Yes, it's so freaking annoying that I've to constantly fiddle with zoom levels just because I want my fucking map to show me the names of the stations and streets. I guess the technology isn't there yet. But somehow, Google has figured out how to constantly display the names of businesses which have paid them.

Anyway, I've been using more and more of Open Street Maps with the Organic Maps app, and it's a refreshing experience

Is your feeling based on the fact that you can only get driving directions offline (not even walking!)?

Yea, like, basically the complaints boil down to, why am I not being handheld throughout the process more?

For me I just need the general direction and what bus/train line direction to take.

Feels like people in general are getting worse at basic spatial awareness.

In most European urban areas, it's not more frustrating than driving.

Transit is the best! Every once in a while I attempt to go back to Google Maps hoping it's approved and then immediately run back to Transit.

Open Street Map. If something isn't accurate, you just update it like Wikipedia. I made some updates to my city, and now it works flawlessly

I use the app's by local transit services and organisations (9292, NS) and so far that's working out pretty well.

They don't have the reminder to indicate when your stop is coming up, but the last two or three times I tried to use that with Google Maps it just didn't warn me, so I don't think I'm missing out on much.

There are a bunch of open source transit apps as well, but little work as well as Google does when it comes to planning trips and finding alternatives. Sometimes there just isn't any open data about public transit and only a few shitty commercial apps have up to date information, but you could always check Google if the routes they suggest seem inefficient or too good to be true.

Try the Transit app, by Transit,inc..

It's a lot better than anything out there, as long as your area is supported.

I almost exclusively use the app called Transit. It uses OSM data and shows live tracking for buses and trains (at least it does in my city). It's good for figuring other options like walking, cycling, bike share.

Citymapper is the gold standard. Osmand is excellent, except for delays. Many countries have third party top-tier apps for transit and train navigation -- Trainline comes to mind in the UK, but it varies by region.

What do you recommend instead for transit?

Google Maps lets me know when to get off my stop, and where to head next, in real time, as well as updates on whether metros or trains are late and when the next one is coming.