The New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia is to unlock its public transport data to app developers to create the next generation of real time transport apps for customers.
Announcing the move, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said, “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.
“The NSW Government is already a leader in the open data space with more than two million downloads of our real time transport apps, but technical limitations have restricted access for the creation of more apps and new ideas.
The state has 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 operators and planners. Until now, this has only allowed the provision of static timetable data to TDX subscribers.
Constance said the government is taking the next step forward with the investment by opening up its data channels for the wider app development community and for customers. He claimed 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.
“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,” he concluded.
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.
Announcing the move, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said, “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.
“The NSW Government is already a leader in the open data space with more than two million downloads of our real time transport apps, but technical limitations have restricted access for the creation of more apps and new ideas.
The state has 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 operators and planners. Until now, this has only allowed the provision of static timetable data to TDX subscribers.
Constance said the government is taking the next step forward with the investment by opening up its data channels for the wider app development community and for customers. He claimed 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.
“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,” he concluded.
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.
