Timetable and public transport apps

Timetable apps make catching public transport easy

Instead of having to carry bits of paper or read timetables stuck to telephone poles, you can use a timetable app on your smartphone.

Instead of relying on a static timetable fixed to a bus shelter, timetable apps update automatically when timetables change or if there are delays.

An example of a timetable app: Tripview

One example of a timetable app is TripView. This app isn’t just a static list of times and services. Instead, it lets you enter your origin and destination, and the app will then show you which service to catch and from where, and alert you to any changes or delays.

eSafety tip

The TripView app works in Sydney and Melbourne, so if you live outside these cities, you’ll need to find an app suitable for your area. Other states have their own apps, such as My Translink for Queensland and TransPerth for the Western Australia.

TripView features

TripView covers timetables for train, light rail, trams, ferries, and buses. The app also gives real-time updates for where your service is, and how long until it arrives.

TripView will also tell you if a service is cancelled, or if it is delayed by as a little as one minute. The app can also show the location of a bus you want to catch on a map in the app.

Downloading timetables to your phone

Some apps like TripView and others need a mobile data connection to show updates and trips. However, some apps will also let you download timetables to your phone before you set out, so you can still look up trips. These are called offline timetables, and when you use one you won’t see any delays or cancellations until you connect your phone to the internet again, via home Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Your travel card might have an app too

If you use a travel card such as Opal or Myki, it might have an app that offers a lot of features. These can be quite complex and offer trip planning and where to buy new travel cards if needed.

The main benefit of travel card apps

The most useful benefit of travel card apps is that they help you manage the balance on your registered travel card or cards. They also show fare estimates for journeys, to help you plan. For example, if you plan a trip across the city, the app will show you the total cost of the trip, even if you have to make changes from bus to train along the way.

Well done!

This is the end of the Timetable and public transport apps activity. You’ve learned about timetable apps, and apps that help you manage travel cards like Opal and Myki.

Up next in the Roadside assist and traffic apps activity, you can learn about apps that help you with roadside assistance, and traffic apps that can give you information about delays, roadworks, and more.