New ‘TfL GO’ app launched to help Londoners plan ahead and travel safely
Transport for London (TfL) has released a new travel app to make it easier for customers to plan their journeys post coronavirus lockdown.
The new iPhone app provides real-time train times in a mobile-friendly way and information to enable travel at quieter times outside peak hours to help customers maintain social distancing. The app also offers alternative routes and walking and cycling options. These features will develop further based on customer feedback.
Making travel easier for Londoners with accessibility needs is a top priority for TfL. The app improves accessibility information by including a 'step-free' mode to access easy-to-navigate views of all stations with street-to-platform accessibility.
It shows where step-free access is available in one direction and step-free interchange between lines and opens up more of London to customers with accessibility needs.
Customers can also use the iOS VoiceOver and Dynamic Type capabilities to use the app.
The new app builds on recent changes to customer information, such as the return to normal service level information displayed on TfL's service status boards and on-line journey planner.
With the majority of Tube stations providing free Wi-Fi and the recent pilot of 4G on the eastern section of the Jubilee line, Londoners will also be able to access TfL Go's journey information while on the move.
TfL intends to release an Android version in the autumn, with further updates later in the year. New features will include live bus information, lift status and the location of toilets.
The app was designed and built in-house by TfL and uses the open data feeds freely provided to third party app developers and others. TfL's online data portal is currently being updated to provide greater resilience and flexibility to developers to access and use the information in their own products and services.
Further datasets, such as better accessibility data which was developed for the TfL Go app, will be added to this portal later this year.
Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport said: “London's transport network is central to life in our city and essential to our economic and social recovery from the pandemic.
”We are helping passengers to travel safely around the capital by introducing a wide range of hygiene measures across the network, restoring public transport services to near-normal levels and creating more space for walking and cycling.
”However, coronavirus will continue to have a significant impact on the way we move around our city for the foreseeable future and we still need Londoners to work with us for everyone's safety.
”This means continuing to maintain social distancing, wearing a face covering while using the network, avoiding travelling at peak times when you can, and walking and cycling where possible when arriving at mainline central London train stations.
”The rollout of TfL's new app will help Londoners by equipping them with the information they need to make safe travel choices, whether it be for work or for leisure.”
