[0b0001]

I've been researching why my cities public transport isn't available in Google Maps. Turns out that the (mostly public) transport company assumes itself in competition to app vendors such as Google Maps and Citymapper; the bus company "doesn't own the whole experience anymore". So, while they give access to static routes with some delay, real-time data or accurate data is out of reach.

How do companies like Citymapper approach that issue? Do they usually pay fees to the transport companies, or do transport companies in the supported cities all give API access?

A proper app would definitely benefit public transport in my area.

(word has it that my area's transport tariffs are way to complicated to be mapped onto Google's API)

[Edit: to be more concise; the transportation company doesn't want 3rd parties to offer an app. How does Citymapper approach that?]

[larrymyers]

As long as a public transportation organization can expose their data as GTFS, then most transit applications should be able to provide routing.

https://developers.google.com/transit

This is what the CTA and Metra do in Chicago. Even Metra, not known for it's technical prowess, provides a GTFS realtime feed.

[andybak]

I don't think that's what the person you were replying to was asking.

More "how do they get the data from cities that don't want to give it to app vendors like Google"

[larrymyers]

If it's public transportation and run by a local government and the transit data isn't publicly available, then it's likely matter of civic engagement and using your power as a voter to make it happen.

[lozenge]

By spending VC capital.

[prplnrpl]

Citymapper (and other similar companies) often have to establish contracts with transit organizations. They have a team of business folks who figure who and how to get API access. Basically boils down to partnerships in the case that there isn't open data. Most companies like this rely heavily on open data though.

[Matsta]

When I interviewed at CM they said they actually provide data back to Google/Apple/TfL. I guess this for analytics, but I’m unsure if they charge companies for their data. As far I know, their Pass weekly transport card is now their biggest source of income.