Public Transport Victoria has launched the search for the next generation of apps using timetable data, with a month-long ‘incubator’ program for new ideas.
Known as the VicTripathon, the event was kicked off on Saturday with a two-day ‘tech jam’ – a weekend of intensive workshops to support participants who have limited experience developing digital products.
Participants ended the weekend presenting their product concepts to a panel, with five concepts progressing to the month-long incubator phase.
Running from Monday, June 1 to Thursday, July 2, the incubator phase will give the five successful teams access to a range of experts so they can further develop their product.
“The five incubation phase teams have one month to develop their concept to a market-ready product, and present it to a panel of judges who will determine an incubation phase prize winner, based on the product that best enhances a customer’s experience,” Public Transport Victoria said on May 28.
Two other grand prizes will be awarded and participation is open to all developers to submit market-ready products using PTV’s API data.
PTV’s new Timetable API (Application Programming Interface) dataset includes, for the first time, real-time tram information, some real-time bus information and service disruption information, the authority said.
VicTripathon is being run for PTV by a consortium, which comprises Collabforge (consortium leader), Open Knowledge Australia, Code for Australia, Owl Ventures and NICTA.