TfL launches online travel tools

12:26pm Thursday 11th December 2008

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DID you blame public transport for being late this morning?

If your answer is yes then be prepared to make up another excuse for your employer tomorrow because Transport for London (TfL) is launching online travel tools.

The tools will help people plan their journeys, get travel information while on the go and work out the safest way home.

Highlights include:

• A text message service which alerts people to delays on their usual routes.

• A midweek email alert, which details planned weekend works and links to the TfL site; an excellent lifestyle addition for the 10 per cent of men who find it hard to arrive on time for a date.

• A ‘service update’ board similar to the ones found on station platforms.

• An interactive ‘planned works’ Tube map, searchable by date, highlighting the sections affected by upgrade works.

• Downloadable ‘widget’ versions of the Travel Tools so you can get live updates on your own website, blog or homepage.

This all means the old ‘my train was delayed’ excuse could be on its way out.

London Underground’s director of strategy and service development, Richard Parry, said: “The introduction of our new 'Travel Tools' services, providing easy access to real time travel information, service updates, and a Tube map you can use on your mobile, means that you can check before you travel or on the move.

“With so many ways to get travel information, Londoners will have to become more creative with their excuses.”

The travel tools are being launched as part of the multi billion pound London Underground investment programme and can be seen here.