Smartphone apps

[John]

Tony, what is that black sticker in the second upper deck window? Is it the fares or what?

Advertising the NXWM RTI app I believe

That's right. The app tells you when the next bus is due at a particular stop in realtime, not timetabled time

[Nathan4775]

So like the network app then ? Which is great by the way

[John]

So like the network app then ? Which is great by the way

Yes but the NXWM one is better, as it has realtime information and does not go by the timetabled time. So if a bus is delayed, then the NXWM app will show it

[Liverpool Street]

So like the network app then ? Which is great by the way

Yes but the NXWM one is better, as it has realtime information and does not go by the timetabled time. So if a bus is delayed, then the NXWM app will show it

The NWM has RealTime as well John. Not just timetabled.

[John]

The NWM has RealTime as well John. Not just timetabled.

Oh does it. Shows the last time I used that one! thanks

[Liverpool Street]

The NWM has RealTime as well John. Not just timetabled.

Oh does it. Shows the last time I used that one! thanks

No problem John. It never used to but since they updated it it has the AVL information. (If I'm honest I think the NXWM one is just the NWM one rebranded)

[Stu]

The NWM has RealTime as well John. Not just timetabled.

Oh does it. Shows the last time I used that one! thanks

No problem John. It never used to but since they updated it it has the AVL information. (If I'm honest I think the NXWM one is just the NWM one rebranded)

They both work in pretty much the same way, however the NWM app has the advantage of showing information for all operators services, while the NXWM app (naturally) only shows its own services.

The main thing about both apps is that they are FREE. There are other apps, such as UK Bus Checker, but you have to pay for them.

[Stu]

Just wanted to hear other people's thoughts on the various free smartphone apps now available, and whether anyone else uses them?

Network West Midlands have three now, Netnav (journey planner), Network West Midlands (travel information) and Walkit (walking route planner):
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/Apps/phone_app.aspx

NX Bus have their own travel information app:
http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/contact-us/mobile-app

If you only ever travel on NXWM services, their app is probably more useful as it only shows information for their services, while the NWM app shows information for all operators. Both apps will show real-time information (where provided by the operator) while the NWM app also shows other operators scheduled times, where real-time is unavailable. The NWM app also shows information for local rail and Metro services also.

Personally I prefer the NWM app over the NXWM app, though both are invaluable while waiting at any stop that doesn't have a 'next departure' display.

[the trainbasher]

I use the netnav and NWM apps round here as I have to catch quite often non NXWM operators.

For London I prefer the LT free app as it provides real time, vehicle registrations and more (if only we had that in the Midlands)

[Liverpool Street]

Merged posts from Birmingham Central topic to this one. As they were off topic in BC thread.

Sorry about the order of posts!

[Kevin]

No idea if I had to pay for it or not, cause I got it ages ago, but I've got the Next Bus UK app on my phone, works perfectly for me, I can find a bus stop pretty much anywhere in the country (obviously I haven't tried it everywhere) and it'll tell me either the real time info if there is any or timetable info if not. Works superbly everywhere I have used it, didn't attempt it in London because you seemingly never have to wait more than about a minute for anything anyway. The only issue I have with it is it doesn't differentiate between bus companies, so for instance if I want to get the 16 from Hamstead I don't know if I can use my pass on the next one or not, but in the grand scheme of things I wouldn't really say that's too much of a problem.

Not knocking the NXWM or NWM apps, as I've never used them and sure they're both good, but they strike me as being perhaps a bit limited compared to this.

...and for the record I've got a Windows phone, not iPhone or Android, so I'm also not sure if I can even get the NX or NWM apps

[Nathan4775]

I have the Network app as I live close to non NXWM routes i.e 56/75/88/88A etc  and they wouldnt show up on the NXWM app. another reason why I dont is because its not on blackberry smartphones ;D ;)

[Tony]

I have the Network app as I live close to non NXWM routes i.e 56/75/88/88A etc  and they wouldnt show up on the NXWM app. another reason why I dont is because its not on blackberry smartphones ;D ;)

on non-NXWM routes they only show timetabled departures anyway which should be on the bus stop anyway, so only advantage is to use as a remote timetable look up over the NXWM one

[nx4737]

The NWM app needs some work doing to it, it seems messy and slow, also, when looking for a stop in map view I've found the 'Near me' button has never worked for me, typical NWM\Centro job by the looks of it.

[sonic84]

Since the IOS 7 update, this NXWM app doesn't seem to work aswell as it used to.  You can not longer select stops for "My Stops" whether it be bus or train.

Shame,as it the app was really handed... especially for the trains times.  Could check it as I left college to decide whether I needed to run the to station, or take a casual walk.