EUROPE The European Commission (EC) has invited industry and stakeholders to submit ideas for Europe-wide journey planners. Although more than 100 journey planners are currently in operation across the continent, there is not yet a service allowing users to find information or book a ticket for a journey within Europe regardless of the number of transport modes or countries involved.
Long distance coach and local bus routes are two methods of transport especially neglected by such services.
On the campaign’s website, vice president of the EC, Siim Kallas asks the question: “Why can’t I yet plan or book my journey through Europe — switching from air to rail or sea, to urban or road transport — in one single go and online?” If the initiative is successful, the planning and execution of trans-European journeys on public transport could be made a significantly more efficient process.
The two categories for submissions are:
- Operational European (or at least cross-border) multimodal journey planners;
- New bright ideas on how to develop a real European multimodal journey planner – ideally including reservation and ticketing facilities to make sure people can also book their whole journey online.
Those with an idea or a service that is up and running can submit it here.
