When you are looking for the best public transport route, there are many options available. Google Maps is a familiar route planner for many of us, but did you know that the Opas.matka.fi service provided by Fintraffic is more comprehensive and reliable? In this article, we describe what makes the service the first choice for every public transport fan.
How do the route planners differ from each other?
Simply put, Google Maps is primarily based on driving but has had a public transport feature added to it. On the other hand, Opas.matka.fi has been built specifically around public transport. Opas.matka.fi is powered by the open source Digitransit service, which is based on open public transport data interfaces. In other words, Opas.matka.fi makes direct use of up-to-date data from public transport authorities and operators. Because of this, Fintraffic’s service is better able to take public transport timetables, changes and real-time disruptions into account.
How is being up-to-date reflected in practice?
Public transport is dynamic – routes and timetables may be affected by factors such as weather and road conditions, track and roadworks, special routes and changes to stops. Opas.matka.fi makes direct use of data from public transport authorities and operators. The information is updated in real time and immediately lets the user know if, for example, there is no bus service, or a specific stop is not in use. The route information in Google Maps, on the other hand, is typically only updated once per day or even less frequently. Therefore, if you are looking for real-time and accurate information on the operation of buses and trains, Digitransit-based route planners like Opas.matka.fi are the best option.
Did you know? These applications are based on the Digitransit service:
- HSL (Helsinki Regional Transport Authority)
- Nysse (Tampere Regional Transport)
- VR Matkalla
What about stops and stations?
Opas.matka.fi provides a clearer and more versatile view of stops. Click on the stops to see the lines served by the stop and their schedules. For example, if you click the nearby stop view for Riihimäki, you can see all trains passing through Riihimäki in real time, which is very useful in planning your itinerary. Google Maps will list routes and line IDs, but it does not provide a similarly comprehensive overview. It also does not distinguish more clearly between terminals and regular stops like Opas.matka.fi does. Additionally, the service allows users to create their own monitor for stops – for example, the bus connection to Ylläs from the Kolari railway station.
What about accessibility?
The Opas.matka.fi service takes accessibility into account. The service meets accessibility requirements set by the relevant authorities. For example, the service caters to passengers with visual impairments with the most commonly used audio description programmes.
Try it yourself and ensure that your journey is smooth!
