Real-Time Updates for Metro and Bicing

On 24 August, the Transporta'm app will roll out an update giving public transport users real-time information about the Barcelona metro and Bicing services. The new version will show the exact location of metro trains on a map and indicate passenger volume. For Bicing, it will display how many bicycles of each type are available at stations and how many docking spaces remain free.

User-Driven Alternative to Official Apps

The app, developed by the user platform Dignitat a les vies in collaboration with the PTP, has already reached 90,000 users since launching just over a year ago. It provides live data for Rodalies commuter trains, Renfe medium-distance services, FGC lines and municipal mobility options. Unlike official apps from Renfe or Adif, Transporta'm retains information on accumulated delays even after a train reaches the next station.

The people don't need more confusion on the platforms, they need an application that helps them.

Anna Gómez, spokesperson for Dignitat a les vies, said the app goes further than what public authorities offer: "The data is there and it's open. We don't know why they don't do it themselves." She highlighted that while the app shows cancelled trains explicitly, official applications simply remove them from schedules without notice.

Additional Train Details Included

For Renfe medium-distance journeys, the update adds details such as the train model and number of carriages. However, this information is not available for Rodalies services because Renfe does not publish it. High-speed train data remains inaccessible to the app developers.

Barriers from Football Piracy Measures

The team behind Transporta'm reported technical difficulties caused by anti-piracy measures. A court ruling last year allowed La Liga to implement dynamic IP blocking to protect broadcast rights. This inadvertently blocked firewalls used by the app, rendering it unusable for some. To resolve this, the team had to switch to a paid firewall, adding operational costs.

Future Expansion Planned

The next goal is to integrate real-time data for urban bus lines in Barcelona and other Catalan cities. The team aims to include this functionality before the end of 2026.

Reported by beteve.cat, Gerard Mira, Pau Lizana Manuel, Natàlia Vila, Ketty Calatayud, lavanguardia.com, betevé.