HAFAS app for the iPhone comes in first in Belgium: Train Info from HaCon convinces Belgian Railways

Nov. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Hannover/Brussels (2010-11-29). The journey planner HAFAS Mobile for the iPhone has taken the Belgians by storm. Just the day after the release for download in the App Store from Apple, the application has reached the top of the download charts. With HAFAS Mobile for Smartphones passengers in Belgium get all relevant information for short and long distance connections for public transport. The intermodal trip planner of the Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS) calculates either the quickest route between two stations or provides complete door-to-door information. Departure and arrival boards, area maps or information on the bus stops nearby, all this is always available at any time. Whether travelling or picking up people – users know live and in real-time whether their trains are on time or whether there are problems and which alternative connections there are. In case of disturbances, the routing alternatives are calculated on the basis of real-time information with HAFAS Realtime.

HAFAS for the iPhone is Belgium’s national route planner which includes all modes of transport from bus to tram and metro to train. Nearby stations are displayed based on the current position. Passengers do not need to know where they are to find their way home. GPS is used to define the current position. Users can search for stations, Points of Interest (POI) or addresses and take advantage of extended search parameters for mode of transport, journey preferences and return trips. Route alternatives, including door-to-door navigation and walking distances are displayed in a compact way. The remaining time to a desired departure is displayed as well as indications whether a connection can be reached in time. Connection details inform about intermediate stops and facilities on board. Floor plans and area maps based on Google Maps are embedded within the application. A favourite function for destinations and routes including auto-history for past queries are part of the application as well.

Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges (SNCB) or Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen (NMBS) is the official name for the national railway in Belgium. Since 2007 they use HAFAS as their national timetable information system for all modes of public transport. HAFAS is also deployed for publishing printed timetables and Print2Web-media (online calculation of pdf-timetables). Since 2009, NMBS/SNCB offers an SMS notification service for delays and disruption for commuters.

Please contact for further information: HaCon Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Lister Straße 15 | 30163 Hannover | Germany | Phone: +49 (0) 511 3369 9-0, www.hacon.de

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About HaCon
Since 1984 HaCon has focused its activities on traffic and logistic solutions.The company is one of the leading players in the field of planning, scheduling and information systems.