Nottingham City Transport has launched an open data platform

Following the passing of the Bus Services Act 2017, NCT’s Open Data portal can now be accessed on their website and includes data used to power NCT’s popular app and website. The Government is introducing regulations requiring bus operators or local authorities to publish information on timetables, routes, fares, tickets, vehicle location information and stops from early 2020.

Open data has been shown to stimulate innovation and economic growth, leading to a better experience for customers, as well as attracting new ones, by facilitating innovation and making exciting new ideas a reality.

Mark Fowles, Managing Director at Nottingham City Transport and Traveline Chairman, commented: “Many bus companies in the industry are still unaware of the full implications of the Bus Services Act. By publishing accurate data openly on our website, as well as into the national open datasets, I hope this step will act as a call to arms for industry colleagues and continue to underline the importance of open data.”

The data on the portal is updated automatically when NCT update its digital services, for example when changes are made to timetables or the network.

A link to the bus stop location data NCT uses, part of a national open data set called NaPTAN (National public transport access node), and the Bus Stop Checker tool used to identify errors where stops have moved or have been inaccurately documented, is also provided.

The new open data portal has been delivered in collaboration with a digital services partner, Passenger, the team behind NCT’s customer-facing digital services.

Tom Quay, CEO of Passenger, said: “We’re delighted to be launching this open data portal with Nottingham City Transport. Open data has been shown to have a huge impact on innovation and we’re hoping this new service makes it easier than ever to access accurate, local transport data. As well as innovative new ideas, this data can also be used for research, education and personal interest. Nottingham City Transport have always been ahead of the curve and it’s great they want to make this data available in this way.”