National Rail App

[Deafdoggie]

Because it gives accurate permitted connection times (unlike Google Maps for instance), and permitted alternative routes in the case of disruption, along with an explanation of the cause. You can no longer search for tickets any later than today though, which is maddening!

So why use it? Why not use a TOC app or Trainline. All of which offer what you want and more? Why use National Rail?

 

[MrJeeves]

So why use it? Why not use a TOC app or Trainline. All of which offer what you want and more? Why use National Rail?

I find NRE much easier to use in a hurry for live departures, personally. I have one of two stations I can travel to to get home, and no journey planner will handle this, hence why I need live departures rather than a journey planner.

Plus, I generally NRE is faster. No gimmicks like animations!

If I want to view more detailed info about a train once I've found it, like its full journey, I'll typically move to RTT or a journey planner though.

 

[TJM]

So why use it? Why not use a TOC app or Trainline. All of which offer what you want and more? Why use National Rail?

Most of us dislike Trainline for much-repeated reasons, and I've yet to find a TOC app as quick for providing impartial information? What else would you suggest?

 

[renegademaster]

NRE let's you choose first and last trains instead of times as well

 

[sh24]

It seems simple to me. There should be a timetable that allows you to see journey options regardless of any ticketing constraints. That timetable should be provided and maintained by the operators, not a 3rd party.

And yes the app is clunky and old but it just works.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Most of us dislike Trainline for much-repeated reasons, and I've yet to find a TOC app as quick for providing impartial information? What else would you suggest?

I don't use it myself, and it never occurs to me to use it. I only see people moaning about it, so I was genuinely curious about why people use it.

If I want tickets I don't use it (it doesn't sell them anyway) if I want live departures I use Real Time Trains or Trainline. I just don't see what National Rail offers that someone else isn't doing better, hence why I asked.

I'd always thought people's dislike of Trainline was its fees, it doesn't charge to look at departures so I don't see what the issue is.

 

[cerij757]

Because it gives accurate permitted connection times (unlike Google Maps for instance), and permitted alternative routes in the case of disruption, along with an explanation of the cause. You can no longer search for tickets any later than today though, which is maddening!

I thought the Android app was broken because I can no longer plan a journey in the future. I have reported it to NRE...

 

[MrJeeves]

I thought the Android app was broken because I can no longer plan a journey in the future. I have reported it to NRE...

Sometimes it just does that... same with the live trains and crashing if it gets a delay reason it hasn't got preprogrammed.

Though planning works for me, for what it's worth.

 

[TJM]

Sometimes it just does that... same with the live trains and crashing if it gets a delay reason it hasn't got preprogrammed.

Though planning works for me, for what it's worth.

What OS are you using though?

 

[MrJeeves]

What OS are you using though?

Android, otherwise I wouldn't have replied.

 

[Bantamzen]

Sometimes it just does that... same with the live trains and crashing if it gets a delay reason it hasn't got preprogrammed.

Though planning works for me, for what it's worth.

Same here, works fine on my Xperia 1 IV with Android 14.

 

[greaterwest]

On my phone, the app outright refuses to work unless I grant it access to precise location. This is a commonly reported issue on the Google Play Store too.

 

[cerij757]

Same here, works fine on my Xperia 1 IV with Android 14.

If you go into More - Settings, what version number are you on? I'm on 9.6.5.2. I have a Google Pixel and have uninstalled and reinstalled the app, cleared app data and I still can't plan a journey for a time other than Now. I am also on Android 14. Thanks.

 

[Bantamzen]

If you go into More - Settings, what version number are you on? I'm on 9.6.5.2. I have a Google Pixel and have uninstalled and reinstalled the app, cleared app data and I still can't plan a journey for a time other than Now. I am also on Android 14. Thanks.

Its on version 9.6.5.2 like yours. I've also just re-tried a future journey search and it still works for me.

 

[cerij757]

Its on version 9.6.5.2 like yours. I've also just re-tried a future journey search and it still works for me.

Thanks for trying. Must be specific to my device then. I can get into the date picker OK, but no matter what date and time I pick, when I click Done it just goes back to the current time.

New video by Ceri Jones

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Bantamzen]

Thanks for trying. Must be specific to my device then. I can get into the date picker OK, but no matter what date and time I pick, when I click Done it just goes back to the current time.

New video by Ceri Jones

photos.app.goo.gl

No worries. Yeah its possible that your device has a patch not pushed to over devices that's causing it, although it is a weird one to say the least. Hopefully the devs can find a fix.

 

[Rail101]

Thanks for trying. Must be specific to my device then. I can get into the date picker OK, but no matter what date and time I pick, when I click Done it just goes back to the current time.

New video by Ceri Jones

photos.app.goo.gl

I have this issue too and flagged on here a few weeks back. I'm using a Pixel 8 and regret uninstalling and reinstalling as it made things worse... NRE told me they were aware of it and looking into it with no timeframe given

 

[cerij757]

I have this issue too and flagged on here a few weeks back. I'm using a Pixel 8 and regret uninstalling and reinstalling as it made things worse... NRE told me they were aware of it and looking into it with no timeframe given

Glad it's not just me. I have the same phone.

 

[MrJeeves]

Meanwhile it all works flawlessly on my Pixel 8 Pro...

 

[modernrail]

I don't use it myself, and it never occurs to me to use it. I only see people moaning about it, so I was genuinely curious about why people use it.

If I want tickets I don't use it (it doesn't sell them anyway) if I want live departures I use Real Time Trains or Trainline. I just don't see what National Rail offers that someone else isn't doing better, hence why I asked.

I'd always thought people's dislike of Trainline was its fees, it doesn't charge to look at departures so I don't see what the issue is.

The issue is that it is the official source of information - so it is meant to work.

A bit like the NHS portal. We have paid got it, it should work. Just because somebody else wants to come along and create (sometimes good) alternatives does not mean the pressure should in any way be off those paid to do a job, to do that job properly and provide a workable product that is fit for purpose.

 

[AlbertBeale]

It seems simple to me. There should be a timetable that allows you to see journey options regardless of any ticketing constraints. That timetable should be provided and maintained by the operators, not a 3rd party.

And yes the app is clunky and old but it just works.

Is there such a thing, just giving you a straightforward timetable for a line if you put in the start and end points?

 

[Deafdoggie]

The issue is that it is the official source of information - so it is meant to work.

A bit like the NHS portal. We have paid got it, it should work. Just because somebody else wants to come along and create (sometimes good) alternatives does not mean the pressure should in any way be off those paid to do a job, to do that job properly and provide a workable product that is fit for purpose.

But if a third party does something better, then surely National Rail could put the money to better use elsewhere?

 

[greatkingrat]

But there is no guarantee third party apps will always be available. If something happens to the developer, they could stop working with no warning.

 

[Deafdoggie]

But there is no guarantee third party apps will always be available. If something happens to the developer, they could stop working with no warning.

That is, essentially, what has happened to National Rail!

 

[TUC]

Alll of these issues are strong arguments why monopolies are almost always bd news. Imagine we were all reliant on just the National Rail app?

 

[JaJaWa]

Interesting post here comparing the advantages of the different TOC apps:

I downloaded all 30 major UK train ticket apps and searched for a ticket. Here's my hot takeaways...

They're not all the same, but there are many similarities, resulting from some shared platforms across Train Operators: First Group (x6 apps), Trainline white-label (x6 apps), Govia (OnTrack Retail) (x5 apps)

Those who are challenging the status quo with highly tailored bespoke apps are: C2C, LNER, TfW, Merseyrail, Heathrow Express, Eurostar

I captured over 360 screenshots throughout the Ticket Purchase user journey of every app in case anyone wants to reference them, take a look here: https://lnkd.in/eruZyBuu

Unique things I loved, in no particular order:

※ Eurostar's destination marketing
※ Merseyrail's Nearest station and Next Trains To
※ London North Eastern Railway's super clean card design with first-price prices.
※ Virgin Trains Ticketing explaining how split ticketing works simply and intuitively.
※ Uber's no-scroll approach to the whole checkout flow. Call-to-action always within reach.
※ Southeastern Railway's line updates visible from the homescreen.
※ Great Northern showing stations having step free access - though it'd be great to combine it with the status of lifts being out of order.
※ Gatwick Express defaulting to common journeys making it quick to see the next departures.
※ Southern Railway's clear call-to-action on the outbound journey results page to buy the ticket and highlighting which is the cheapest fares.
※ Chiltern Railways expanding the outbound results to show live times within the same page.
※ Great Western Railway (GWR) clearly showing whether a seat is reserved or not for each leg, and making it easy to add.
※ Greater Anglia showing the seat availability in each carriage.
※ Transport for Wales indicating which stations are served by TfW trains in the station search results, and soon to include TrawsCymru buses / bus stops too. Also for translating everything into Cymraeg too.
※ TrainPal offering discounts for new customers
※ Omio making it easy to compare Standard Class vs First Class benefits.

Just imagine for a second if we could combine all these amazing features together into one intuitive app so all customers could benefit and we're aren't all spending money to reinvent the wheel 30 times... Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) I'm looking at you...

Adam Stead on LinkedIn: I downloaded all 30 major UK train ticket apps and searched for a ticket… | 118 comments

I downloaded all 30 major UK train ticket apps and searched for a ticket. Here's my hot takeaways... They're not all the same, but there are many… | 118 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

In reply, Rail Delivery Group says:

Interesting post Adam, we can confirm that the National Rail Enquiries app is being updated and we'll have some great updates to share in the upcoming months.

Adam Stead on LinkedIn: I downloaded all 30 major UK train ticket apps and searched for a ticket… | 118 comments

I downloaded all 30 major UK train ticket apps and searched for a ticket. Here's my hot takeaways... They're not all the same, but there are many… | 118 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

 

[bakerstreet]

In reply, Rail Delivery Group says:

Interesting post Adam, we can confirm that the National Rail Enquiries app is being updated and we'll have some great updates to share in the upcoming months.

Which doesn’t (yet?) sell tickets!

What a strange reply to a post about ticketing apps without saying if the national rail app will even sell tickets let alone provide any enhancements to what is already available in the market.

It’s a shame that there was no mention (in the summary at least) of split ticketing – from any supplier – although a mention for TrainSplit would have been good.

 

[MrJeeves]

Which doesn’t (yet?) sell tickets!

What a strange reply to a post about ticketing apps without saying if the national rail app will even sell tickets let alone provide any enhancements to what is already available in the market.

It’s a shame that there was no mention (in the summary at least) of split ticketing – from any supplier – although a mention for TrainSplit would have been good.

The existing NRE app sells tickets by redirecting to retailers, if that's what you mean?

NRE has never sold tickets, instead redirecting to a TOC site (or in the past also third party retailers).

 

[bakerstreet]

The existing NRE app sells tickets by redirecting to retailers, if that's what you mean?

NRE has never sold tickets, instead redirecting to a TOC site (or in the past also third party retailers).

The point I was making was exactly that.

The LinkedIn post you quoted is comparing apps which sell rail tickets and the benefits of each in relation to the ticket purchasing process.

In reply to this post, the RDG mentions the National Rail enquiries app which – as you say – has never sold tickets.

I was wondering if the “great updates” the RDG is talking about is in future for the app to sell tickets.
But it doesn’t mention this.

As the app has never sold tickets, and If it is never the intention for the app to do so, then I’m wondering why the RDG replies to a post talking about apps which sell tickets, discussing an app which doesn’t

As an aside, does the app redirect now? The version I have (iOS) does not. Perhaps I need to update! Only the web version offers redirection for me.

 

[MrJeeves]

As an aside, does the app redirect now? The version I have (iOS) does not. Perhaps I need to update! Only the web version offers redirection for me.

The Android one has a journey planner, which has a tickets button in the top right which will redirect you to a TOC site to purchase tickets.