'I tried the TfL Go app to see if it was better than Citymapper at helping me plan London Undergroun
Getting around London can be confusing and you'd be forgiven (and arguably, no less of a Londoner) if you sometimes needed a transport app to help you do it. I know I certainly do.
For me, this transit app has always and exclusively been Citymapper. Delivering me safely to more pub trips, friends' houses and bedtimes than I can count, its bright green interface has become something of a comfort blanket. So, even though it's let me down a handful of times by not informing me about Tube station closures and disruptions quickly enough, or sending me on roundabout routes, I've remained a committed lover.
But after repeatedly spotting adverts for the TfL Go app while onboard the Elizabeth line recently, my curiosity was sufficiently piqued. Could this free app be better at helping me plan my Tube and bus journeys? I decided to put it to the test against Citymapper the next time I needed to go somewhere. And it was so easy and straightforward to use that it's my new favourite transport helper.
My first thought as I clicked on the new Lizzy line purple addition to my home-screen was 'Wow, so clean.' The interface staring back at me was largely white and oddly calming, with a zoomed-in slither of the Tube map taking up the bulk of it. (Only later did I realise that this segment had been chosen according to where I was, with my own rough position denoted by a pulsating blue dot.) At the bottom were two brighter white rectangles labelled 'Where to?' and 'Buses Near You'. A flick of my finger revealed a third called 'Status', dedicated to live service disruptions.
Suddenly, Citymapper's extremely busy rows of square icons (10 total), horizontal bars ('Get Me Somewhere', 'Get Me Home', 'Saved Trips') and colourful background (again, a map showing where I was) seemed overwhelming. Did I ever really use any of them but 'Get Me Somewhere' and 'Maps'? I couldn't think of any instances.
But now came the more important experiment: the route planning. I inputted the beginnings of my destination ( Willows on the Roof, read about it here soon...) and was quickly met with suggestion; next popped up my journey options and, wait, there were only four? I couldn't believe it as I attempted to scroll down beyond 'Cycle', 'Fastest', 'Step-free', and 'Bus only' and met resistance. As someone who is often late and often overwhelmed by having to choose from tens of options, this struck me as a game changer. All that was required of me was to pick the kind of journey I wanted and the TfL Go would do the rest! Goodbye, (some) stress.
Interestingly, cycling was recommended first, an environmentally forward-thinking move that I like. But I was bike-less at the office, so 'Fastest' it was. This meant a journey time of 32 minutes, using a combination of the Jubilee line and my own two feet; my stations were apparently 'quiet' now, information I hadn't thought of considering but was grateful to know. Great, I thought, now Citymapper's turn. The same route popped up top of the Tube column - but to my surprise, there was a discrepancy: my old friend estimated only 27 minutes. I set off.
As I travelled to Canary Wharf station on foot, it became clear that Citymapper was going to be more on the money about the timings. TfL Go allotted me seven minutes to get down to the platform compared to Citymapper's four - and I'd made it in three. This turned out to be the case at the other end, too, with the former giving me 11 minutes to exit the station and clear the 0.3 miles between Bond Street and John Lewis in contrast to the latter's nine. (The Tube estimate was right, though.) So, it wasn't as good at probable human walking speeds.
Unlike its transit rival, it also hadn't given me an exit at the Tube (Citymapper suggested the Marylebone Lane one). And yet, I couldn't help thinking that, even so, the user experience of this app made it by far the one I'd want to use when worse for wear after a night out or stressed and running late pre-work. Citymapper's rows of Tube plus cycle plus walk plus etcetera are confusing strings of symbols needing deciphering at the best of times. Also, I could probably do with that extra time buffer anyway so I turn up closer to on time.
Is there a story you think we should be covering? If so, please email whatson@mylondon.news or at tilly.alexander@reachplc.com
Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rsXLqKWdp55ju6bD0miuoZmkqHqwuo6rnK%2BhlazAcMDFpWSgp12pv6K60qmmq6xdlr2xecKiq7KlkaW9pr6Ma2tra2VphnY%3D