Among the online map services for smartphones and other devices, the route planner Google Maps is particularly widespread.
But it was precisely there that the bus, underground and tram connections in the tariff zone of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) could not be found.
Only S-Bahn, regional and long-distance trains were displayed.
If you wanted to use Google Maps to navigate to your destination using public transport, the program often showed absurd detours and recommended long walks, for example, even though there was a tram stop in front of the door.
That has now changed: since mid-May, the local means of transport have also been displayed.
Frankfurt was an exception: in other major cities, the connections that tourists and locals benefit from have been available on Google Maps for many years.
The relief that this now also applies to the Rhine-Main area can be felt in Internet forums: "That I can still experience that!!!", writes a user of the Reddit website.
"Wow, finally.
It's been bothering me for so long," commented another.
A third said: "Great news thanks.
Tourists who are only here for a few days benefit the most.” Another is pleased that he no longer has to explain to visitors umpteen times that they should take the subway, even though no connection was displayed on Google.
"I was really ashamed of Frankfurt that it didn't work for ages," writes another.
In other large cities, the offer has been working smoothly for many years.
Non-residents in particular often use route planners to find their way around and have been misguided on Google Maps in Frankfurt and the surrounding area for years.
But now you can enter an address on the city map or select any building and be guided there by bus or train.
Even delays are displayed.
The RMV also has its own map-based offer.
But this service is not particularly user-friendly, and hardly any tourist and even few locals know about it.
Non-residents rarely install the app for the local transport association on their cell phone when planning a city trip.
In short: the service has suffered.
According to an Internet user in the Reddit chat forum, he himself worked to ensure that the data is now available, not only in Frankfurt, but in the entire RMV area.
He explains the long delay with the incompatible data basis: The RMV used outdated technology.
The data set offered had to be adjusted.
A spokesman for the RMV denies this.
"The RMV does not hold back any timetable data and offers them in a standard format." He points out that the data has long been available via an open interface and can also be called up in other route planners.
However, Google Maps is the map service with the greatest reach.
"We have been offering this data for years and are happy about everyone who uses current timetable data."
Neither RMV nor Google can conclusively explain why it took so long.
According to Google, the company has entered into a cooperation with the RMV.
Therefore, the local transport connections have now also been made available for this area.
It was not possible to find out what this cooperation consisted of.