Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with (a) Google and (b) other online providers of travel information on ensuring that information can be accessed on journeys that can be made involving demand responsive bus travel.

The Bus Open Data Service (BODS) ensures national bus timetables, fares, and live bus locations are provided from one open-source platform. Relevant legislation requires that this data be published by operators to improve services and passenger experiences through the availability of real-time journey planning information from online providers such as Google.

The Department encourages the development of third-party applications and services that utilise the published data. Developers can create mobile apps, websites and tools that utilise bus data to offer passengers real-time information, route planning and more. This supports local passenger journeys by providing passengers with the tools and information needed to plan trips effectively, reducing information gaps and enhancing passenger satisfaction.

The Department has amended the BODS data standards profile to accommodate demand responsive bus travel. We are also currently working with bus operators, their agents and technology providers to support product development and data submission, through webinars and other forms of engagement.