Transport Direct Mobile Phone

On a PDA or mobile phone using the latest browser technology (WAP2.0) over a GPRS or a 3G connection you can get scheduled arrival and departure times and in some cases provide the expected arrival or departure times for rail stations.

These stations can be clicked to show ‘Station information’ where phone numbers for taxi and/or cab (private hire car) firms serving the station are listed.

You can also connect to ‘Travel news’ link, which will list both current incidents and planned events that can affect or delay journeys, such as traffic accidents, road works, etc. You can tailor the information so that it is of interest to you by selecting options from the drop-down lists.

You can learn how to use these services on a PDA by using the PDA simulator which can be found on the Tips and tools page of the Transport Direct website.

‘Travel News’ app

In December 2009 Directgov launched a free 'Travel News' app for iPhones and Android phones. Use the app to search for travel news on trains, roads, tubes, ferries and trams. You will get detailed information about the type of delay, areas affected and incident severity. Results are displayed using Google maps.

Go to the App store if you have an iPhone or the Android Market if you have an Android phone. Search for ‘Travel News’ to install the app. This service covers England, Scotland and Wales.

Journey Planner

In July 2010 Directgov mobile launched a new door-to-door journey planner, in collaboration with Transport Direct. The new mobile service enables users to plan full, door-to-door journeys using a range of public transport including trains, buses and tube as well as by foot.

Users will choose their ‘to’ and ‘from’ destinations, and an arrival time, to receive a step-by-step guide with detailed breakdowns for each stage of the journey. The planner also provides Google maps for any parts that involve walking.

The service is available on every internet-enabled mobile phone, so you can use it anytime, anywhere to help you find where you’re going.

To use the journey planner, go to m.direct.gov.uk/journey in your phone’s internet browser, or text JOURNEY to 83377 and you’ll be sent the link by text message (all texts are free).

Transport Direct Digital Interactive TV

Transport Direct is also available via digital interactive TV, cable and Freeview boxes with a modem or broadband connection. Using your remote control you can access up to the minute bus and train timetables as well as the latest traffic and transport news from the comfort of your sofa.

Depending on your TV provider follow the instructions below to access the local government portal Looking Local. Once there you can either search for your area by town name of postcode or find it via the regional menus. The Transport Direct service will then most usually be available from the main menu.

This is the same service as is offered online and via mobile and is the latest information about traffic and transport across the country. The service is free to access on all platforms and allows you to get the latest information via whichever method suits.

To find out how to access the service, please visit the Tips and Tools section of the portal.