The smartphone app “World Transit Maps” has offered a “Photo” feature that allows users to view posted photos related to stations in various locations on the station details screen. However, this service will be suspended as of 23:59 on May 7 (Wed), 2025 (Japan Standard Time).

The reason is that the business environment has changed and it has become difficult to maintain the service. The photo function uses photos obtained from the external connection service “Place API” operated by Google as the source of information. However, due to the company’s price revision implemented in March 2025, the API usage fee was significantly increased. With costs increasing dramatically, we have determined that we cannot continue to provide the photo function within the current framework of the free service, and we regret to inform you that we will suspend the relevant service.

After 0:00 on May 8 (Thu) (Japan Standard Time), the “Photo” button will disappear from the tab menu at the bottom of the station details screen. This will be automatically applied to the app you are currently using, regardless of whether the app has been updated or not.

We will continue to devote our management resources to expanding the area, enhancing functions, and improving usability so that this transit map app can continue to be used sustainably. Thank you for your understanding.