TfL opens doors to its data

TfL has made information on services available for software developers to use

Transport for London (TfL) is making a wealth of new information about London's tube, bus and river services available for public use.

Web developers can use the data to create products such as mobile phone apps to help commuters.

Developers can now use the data for commercial gain without having to obtain TfL's permission first. By using TfL's Developers' Area, web developers can access a number of data sets and feeds to live London Underground travel news on London's Datastore. The Datastore is where the Greater London Authority releases all its data for Londoners to see and use free of charge

Transport-related information currently in the Datastore includes planned weekend tube works, station locations, River Thames pier locations and Oyster ticket stop locations.

TfL will continue to offer basic information about its services free of charge to the public on its web site, but it hopes the move will encourage developers to create a wider range of high-quality services and applications.

Chris MacLeod, TfL's director of group marketing, said: "We want to harness the innovative ideas in the developer community to provide improved information which will benefit all transport users.

"Therefore it is vital that Transport for London provides transparent information to the public and allows developers to use data to create smart-technology solutions."

By the end of June, developers will also be able to find information on bus routes and bus stops as well as data from London Underground's Rolling Origin and Destination Survey. Data on bus timetables and schedules will follow.