The New South Wales Government will release public transport data to interested app developers
Developers are being encouraged to develop real-time apps for public transport users as the New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced it will release data to those who are interested.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance has announced the State Government will unlock its public transport data to app developers to create the next generation of real time transport apps for customers.
“We’re inviting the app development community to shape a new Open Data Hub, informing how it will work and what kind of data is available to create the apps customers want,” he says.
“The NSW Government is already a leader in the open data space with more than 2 million downloads of our real time transport apps, but technical limitations have restricted access for the creation of more apps and new ideas.
“We have more than 2,000 subscribers registered for static timetable data on the existing Transport Data Exchange (TDX), but this data and the infrastructure that holds it was built for our operators and planners.
“This has held us back and only allowed us to provide static timetable data to TDX subscribers – that is until now.”
Constance says this investment will be the ‘next leap forward’ by opening up data channels for the wider app development community and for customers.
“The applications for this transport data are endless and will encourage innovation and ‘outside the box’ thinking that the app development community brings to the table,” he says.
“To make sure we get the execution right, we’re asking for advice from app developers to tell us what data should be made available and help build the new Open Data Hub.”
App developers will still need to satisfy strict privacy and use conditions in order to receive data from Transport for NSW.
Any data made available will be secure, private, and de-personalised including real time train, bus, ferry, light rail and selected Opal travel pattern data.