Any apps that show bus routes?

[Bayum]

I used to use ‘BusChecker’ that was run by Geoff someone a few years ago. It was taken over by a further group and subsequently a lot of the various features such as seeing the route map of a bus from a particular bus stop. I’ve always found this useful, particularly in cities I’m unfamiliar with. London has Citymapper etc which make things slightly easier. Does anyone know of an app that still shows bus availability from a stop AND a route map to go with it?

 

[asb]

Google Maps on the mobile app (not desktop) does

 

[APT618S]

The UK BusChecker App still shows times and route maps for me. e.g the Stagecoach route 73 in Dundee today which I am on:

 

[Megafuss]

The Moovit app is pretty good for showing "lines" as well as journey planning

 

[Ken H]

Bustimes has a map for each route. But it draws straight lines between stops so can be a little confusing.

 

[lachlan]

The First Bus app is pretty good, it will show upcoming departures for a stop and also route maps, for all operators. You can also search for routes. There is also bus tracking though it only works for First services. Being in Aberdeen I tend to use Google Maps to journey plan and then the First app to check live times.

 

[[.n]]

For across the UK - I use Bus Checker. It does what you want and shows stops and routes.
For London - I use Buses Due, which also does the above.
And as mentioned above for First Buses in particular I use the First Bus app

 

[Bayum]

For across the UK - I use Bus Checker. It does what you want and shows stops and routes.
For London - I use Buses Due, which also does the above.
And as mentioned above for First Buses in particular I use the First Bus app

Interesting. Bus Checker is the one I used to use but it doesn’t let me view route maps.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2022 ==

For across the UK - I use Bus Checker. It does what you want and shows stops and routes.
For London - I use Buses Due, which also does the above.
And as mentioned above for First Buses in particular I use the First Bus app

Can you see the routes of buses that aren’t ‘expected’ at the bus stop? I can’t see anything unless I click a timetabled bus.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2022 ==

The UK BusChecker App still shows times and route maps for me. e.g the Stagecoach route 73 in Dundee today which I am on:

As above.

 

[route101]

Bustimes has a map for each route. But it draws straight lines between stops so can be a little confusing.

Yes, map will show all the variations on one diagram. Google maps is the same will draw a straight line.

 

[APT618S]

Can you see the routes of buses that aren’t ‘expected’ at the bus stop? I can’t see anything unless I click a timetabled bus.

In the Bus Checker App if you search for a route number (magnifying glass icon) it returns a list with company codes and distance from you (assuming you have location switched on - on your mobile). Touching the one you want will give you the route map.

 

[PeterC]

Yes, map will show all the variations on one diagram. Google maps is the same will draw a straight line.

Bustimes is a mess for complex routes with all possible variations shown as one on the map. Not ideal for a country area where one number can cover three, four or even more variations across the week. Google on the other hand gives you just the departure that you select.

While bustimes will give you a full timetable this is only for the route number selected. Where a minor variation has its own number there is a separate timetable even where the operator's print/PDF version would combine them.

 

[Bayum]

In the Bus Checker App if you search for a route number (magnifying glass icon) it returns a list with company codes and distance from you (assuming you have location switched on - on your mobile). Touching the one you want will give you the route map.

Interesting. Have you got the paid version? My search only gives me place names.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2022 ==

In the Bus Checker App if you search for a route number (magnifying glass icon) it returns a list with company codes and distance from you (assuming you have location switched on - on your mobile). Touching the one you want will give you the route map.

Or are you on the iOS app?

 

[bib]

OsmAnd is based on Openstreetmap data and lets you see bus routes from any stop, also works offline. Doesn't have any timetable info so it's no use as a journey planner with public transport, but it does have a huge amount of other information that can be useful such as walking trails, shops, bike parking etc, most of which is available offline if you have the space to download it.

 

[APT618S]

Or are you on the iOS app?

No - Samsung Android

Interesting. Have you got the paid version? My search only gives me place names.

No - I have the free version and still get the ads.

Picking a random no of 204 and searching for this gives:

And clicking in the 4th one down gives a Mansfield service:

And on the map you can click a bus stop to get the times although there is nothing running now.

 

[Bayum]

No - Samsung Android

No - I have the free version and still get the ads.

Picking a random no of 204 and searching for this gives:
View attachment 114199
And clicking in the 4th one down gives a Mansfield service:
View attachment 114200
And on the map you can click a bus stop to get the times although there is nothing running now.

That looks very similar to what it used to look like on iOS. I don’t have that st all anymore.

 

[APT618S]

That looks very similar to what it used to look like on iOS. I don’t have that st all anymore.

Unless it's the App version no as I am always very reluctant to update them as IMO 9 times out of 10 I prefer the original version .
The Bus Checker App version I am using is v3.5.17 (build 10090, core v2.3.9).

 

[miklcct]

The Moovit app is pretty good for showing "lines" as well as journey planning

I've uninstalled it after it produces completely wrong tube schedules.

 

[Bayum]

Don’t update it. As I say, I can’t even search for bus routes, let alone anything else. I’ve lost audio announcements detailing the current and next stop etc. feels like ten steps backward.

 

[njamescouk]

https://bustimes.org/ is pretty good imo. routes, times real time maps for some buses.

 

[lachlan]

No - Samsung Android

No - I have the free version and still get the ads.

Picking a random no of 204 and searching for this gives:
View attachment 114199
And clicking in the 4th one down gives a Mansfield service:
View attachment 114200
And on the map you can click a bus stop to get the times although there is nothing running now.

This looks like an older version. I've just downloaded it to my Android phone and can't get any routes to show up.

 

[507020]

Yes, map will show all the variations on one diagram. Google maps is the same will draw a straight line.

I tend to use Google Maps for that sort of thing. I have looked at many bus routes in all parts of the country and some display as straight lines but many follow the geometry of roads and even roundabouts for an accurate view. An anomaly is the V1 service (Leigh - Manchester) where the route map shows nonsense because it will not follow the guided busway.

 

[lachlan]

I tend to use Google Maps for that sort of thing. I have looked at many bus routes in all parts of the country and some display as straight lines but many follow the geometry of roads and even roundabouts for an accurate view. An anomaly is the V1 service (Leigh - Manchester) where the route map shows nonsense because it will not follow the guided busway.

There are some bugs in Google Maps, like completely unrealistic journey times on Stagecoach buses in Aberdeen, and I've also seen it suggest boarding at the wrong side of the road. I emailed Stagecoach about the first one, so maybe it'll get fixed?

 

[507020]

There are some bugs in Google Maps, like completely unrealistic journey times on Stagecoach buses in Aberdeen, and I've also seen it suggest boarding at the wrong side of the road. I emailed Stagecoach about the first one, so maybe it'll get fixed?

Would unrealistic journey times not be a problem with the timetable? I’ve seen several locations where you board buses on what would be the wrong side of the road, only for the bus to turn around immediately afterwards and head the other way.

 

[[.n]]

Unless it's the App version no as I am always very reluctant to update them as IMO 9 times out of 10 I prefer the original version .
The Bus Checker App version I am using is v3.5.17 (build 10090, core v2.3.9).

I'm using 10.30.0 (10158) and as noted above, now seems to have stopped giving me routes - I wonder if I need to sign in? (free version as well)

 

[Bayum]

I'm using 10.30.0 (10158) and as noted above, now seems to have stopped giving me routes - I wonder if I need to sign in? (free version as well)

I’ve got no adverts and still unable to search and see bus routes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2022 ==

Had an email this morning confirming that there were no routes in the app but would pass on my hope these would be reintroduced in the future.

 

[tinker]

I'm using 10.30.0 (10158) and as noted above, now seems to have stopped giving me routes - I wonder if I need to sign in? (free version as well)

Same version and build as me, I'm still getting routes though (just looked). I'm signed in and using the paid version though if that makes any difference (as I thought paid just got rid of the ads?).

 

[Bayum]

I’m on 10.30.3 on iOS.

 

[tinker]

I’m on 10.30.3 on iOS.

Ah, I'm on Android.

 

[AndrewE]

Traveline seems to show a fair approximation of where buses go

 

[route101]

The bus map that Go Ahead companies use I find the best. Its not an app though.