TfL re-releases free live tube information

TfL data is now hosted in the Microsoft Azure platform

Transport for London has re-released its online web developers' area following the site going down in July after just two weeks, as a result of unexpectedly high demand.

The site is now being supported by Microsoft's Azure cloud platform as part of a wider relationship with Microsoft. The organisation was unwilling to reveal how much of its IT infrastructure will be moved to the cloud, but said that it would be likely to make further announcements in January.

The site will include a live tube travel news feed called Trackernet.

The organisation hopes to encourage developers to create mobile apps which will help travellers check travel news whilst on the move.

The developers' area also includes information on:

• Live traffic disruptions
• Realtime road message signs
• Barclays Cycle Hire docking station locations
• Timetable of planned weekend Tube works
• Station locations
• Thames pier locations
• Findaride (licensed private hire operators)
• Oyster ticket shop locations

Anthony Browne, The Mayor of London's economic development advisors, said: "In the digital age Londoners expect to be able to find out where their Tube train or bus is at the touch of a button and that is why having this live tracker feed is so vital. By improving the way we help web developers and make this information available to them we can also provide a potential money spinner for the Capital's software development experts."

Mark Taylor, director developer and platform evangelism at Microsoft UK, said: "We've provided TfL with a scalable system which can handle more than seven million requests a day. It's an innovative example of cloud computing, and we look forward to working with TfL again and other organisations which wish to follow their lead."