About the Author/Organisation

GetThere.ie is a transportation information platform that aggregates coach and rail timetables and offers a lift-sharing service. They focus on providing users with an easy way to plan their journeys across Ireland.

About the Project

GetThere.ie utilises a data format called GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) to power their backend systems. This data format standardises public transportation information, including schedules and stops. Initially, GetThere.ie relied on manually scraping PDFs and HTML timetables from individual operator websites. However, the adoption of GTFS data has significantly streamlined their operations.

Why it's a Showcase

GetThere.ie's transition to GTFS data exemplifies the benefits of standardised data formats for Open Data initiatives. Here's why:

Improved Efficiency: GTFS data streamlines data management, reducing the reliance on manual scraping and verification processes. This allows GetThere.ie to focus on developing and improving their user experience.

Enhanced Data Quality and Reliability: Standardised data formats ensure consistency and accuracy, leading to more reliable and trustworthy information for users.

Impact of the Showcase

This showcase demonstrates the positive impact of Open Data standards like GTFS:

Reduced Costs and Improved Scalability: By adopting standardised data, GetThere.ie reduces maintenance costs and simplifies future improvements or expansion of their services.

Benefits for Users: The use of GTFS ultimately benefits users by providing them with more accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information on transportation options.

Encourages Wider Adoption of Open Data Standards: GetThere.ie's success story serves as an example for other organisations, potentially encouraging wider adoption of Open Data standards like GTFS within the transportation sector.