After 3 years in Berlin, I barely use navigation anymore because I know my routes. Home, work, gym, the usual spots... But I kept opening BVG or Google Maps just to see when the next train is coming. Every time it felt like too many steps for such a simple question: enter start, destination, pick a route... just to check departures from a station I use every day.
I’ve seen some people build setups with station boards on tablets, TVs, and mount them in hallways. So I built something for the phone version of that. Started as a web app, then turned it into a proper iOS app. The idea was to make it feel like a departure board at a station, but on my phone, ideally on the home screen. Open it and instantly see what’s leaving next.
It shows live departures from the saved stations with real-time delays, platforms, and transport type filters. And I also made a home screen widget that shows departures without even opening the app. The core features are free and will stay that way. I just want it to be useful.
I'm actively working on it, and a map view is coming soon, but the whole point is keeping it simple. If you’re on Android, I’m currently looking for a few testers to help get it released on Google Play.
Happy to tell more in the comments if anyone's interested.
AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/gptransport-live-departures/id6758558638
P.s.
To save you time and avoid questions:
- Yes, I know all alternatives - I don't like them, or they do not work properly (ÖPNV, VBB, etc.)
- Some of them have no desired features, e.g. widget (BVG)
- Maps like google, apple - they are not what I want and my app is not a navigator.
I built it for myself, and if some people will find it useful, I will be happy:)