Commuter help: Android widget for departure times

[bonstio]

Hello. I built this app for myself because I couldn't find anything else which worked. I wanted a customizable widget for my home screen which shows me commute times and automatically reverses the route for the way home.

It's entirely free and open source. I've been using it for a couple of months and am happy with it hence sharing it here in case it's useful for others. It does require a (free) National Rail API key, link in the app.

Train Times - Apps on Google Play

A simple yet configurable widget which is perfect for your commute.

play.google.com

Other features include:

• Configurable railway station from which departures will be shown (mandatory)
• Optional destination station to filter departures for
• Ability to specify times at which source and destination stations will be swapped (useful for commuting!)
• Customizable widget title
• Configurable layout (font size, information density, title icons etc.)
• Ability to customize colors (inc. transparency and ability to follow system theme)
• Configurable refresh frequency inc. fully manual refresh only to save battery
• Scrollable widget contents
• Expandable rows to show all destination stations

 

[[.n]]

ta - will have a look

 

[robbeale]

Great app thanks.

 

[bonstio]

Someone reported an issue with train times not loading. I'm happy to help resolve this. I've not had other similar reports... I use it myself daily so I will continue to maintain this!

 

[mmh]

This is a great idea - thank you! I've just installed it. Seems there's a daily limit on how many API keys they issue, so I'll need to try tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Looks like API keys have already hit their limit for today too.

 

[gazthomas]

@bonstio do you have any plans to provide a web service that links your app to the the Network Rail API obviating the need for the end user to do this themselves?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Managed to get my API key just now
Looks like it's not as busy this morning as yesterday

 

[mmh]

I'll need to remember to try again as soon as I wake up tomorrow!

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Would it be possible for it to show cancelled if the train will leave the selected start station as planned, but not arrived at the destination station (e.g. see the Atherton line right now, trains are diverging via Bolton, but show as on time on the widget if start station is outside of the diversion (even though arrival station is)

 

[bonstio]

@bonstio do you have any plans to provide a web service that links your app to the the Network Rail API obviating the need for the end user to do this themselves?

Nope. It takes two minutes to do this and is a one time operation for the end user.

Even if it weren't against the API terms of service, it would not make practical sense for me to make this. Sorry!

 

[MrJeeves]

Even if it weren't against the API terms of service

Why would it be against the LDBWS terms of service? The whole point of the service is to allow people to create things to then be used be others, after all.

For what it's worth, the Rail Data Marketplace version of LDBWS has no rate limits, and uses JSON which is a bit more convenient than SOAP!

 

[bonstio]

Thanks for the nudge. I'll check the ToC. Agree it would reduce friction if users didn't have to jump through these hoops on first use.

 

[JaAnTr]

This is super useful thank you! I think there might be a bug (and gave your repo to ChatGPT which agrees) where the filtering out of journeys isn't working. I think it when the journey is slow service that is not the direct route and the duration isn't being correctly calculated. If you do Wandsworth Town to Waterloo and set the
filter to show journeys less than 5 minutes it should be empty but is showing services to Kingston.

Think fix might be something like:
services = allServices.filter {
it.duration == null || it.duration <= config!!.maxJourneyDuration
}

becomes:

services = allServices.filter {
it.duration != null && it.duration <= config!!.maxJourneyDuration
}

 

[robbeale]

My app stopped working today. It needs a new API but I can't seem to get one.
Is it a case or just keep trying or has the App undergone some changes.
I use it daily. It's super. Thanks

 

[bonstio]

Yes. This is true.

The bad news: The app does not have sufficient users for me to have bothered with an upgrade flow (apologies)...
The good news: I have already updated the app and have added a handy new feature. You now need a Rail Data API key. Instructions are here https://github.com/chrisys/train-departure-display/issues/157#issuecomment-5007286191.

When you have you new "Consumer key" the app will work as before. The new feature is an optional geofencing notification whereby you have frequently updating notifications for 15 mins when within range of your departure station.

Sorry for the trouble. The API change was a surprise but since I wrote this for myself, I do plan to keep it working.

Feedback welcome.

 

[robbeale]

Thanks for this, I'll give it a try

 

[NaZzAtAzEr]

Deleted question due to lack of reading comprehension and answer being in first post...

 

[RD123]

App looks good, I'll give it a try thanks

 

[NaZzAtAzEr]

I can't work out how to turn this setting on?

"Use nearest station"

I have location turned on.

I work on the railway so can be at a different office any given day.


Additionally, can I have multiple stations in the "going to" section?

 

[Welshguy1048]

.

 

[Welshguy1048]

@bonstio

Afternoon

I have filled out the whole registration form for the Rail Data Marketplace - but when i get to the bottom of the form - the "register" button is "greyed out"

What am I doing wrong ?

See attached screenshot

Dave

 

[MrJeeves]

I have filled out the whole registration form for the Rail Data Marketplace

Have you? First name, last name and email address are all empty in your screenshot.

 

[Welshguy1048]

Completed the registration now

 

[Welshguy1048]

@bonstio
@MrJeeves

Now I am getting this....when i try to sign into the Rail Data Marketplace

I can't scan the QR code using the 1 phone I have got....

I give up....too much hassle just to get the
API Key...

I won't bother with it.

Dave

 

[bonstio]

@bonstio
@MrJeeves

Now I am getting this....when i try to sign into the Rail Data Marketplace

I can't scan the QR code using the 1 phone I have got....

I give up....too much hassle just to get the
API Key...

I won't bother with it.

Dave

Unfortunately I can't fix their website for them

I'm ordering to keep it free, users do need their own API key. I'm sorry for the trouble.

 

[MrJeeves]

I'm ordering to keep it free, users do need their own API key. I'm sorry for the trouble.

Why? There's no rate limits or usage limits on the RDM API.