National Rail Enquiries iPhone App
// March 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Technology
You may remember the popular MyRail Lite app which was released onto the iTunes App Store a while ago and then quickly withdrawn. Those who managed to grab the application before it was removed could still use it, although very recently a notification was displayed telling the users that National Rail Enquiries, the service which provides the data, had refused to renew their license with Kizoom, the parent company of MyRail. This effectively meant that from 31st March 2009 you would not be able to get the train information. Then it started getting awkward:
Very recently, National Rail Enquiries released their own iPhone App which does practically the same as MyRail Lite, however it is priced at £4.99 and there is no other alternative if you want to get the train times on your iPhone. How can this be fair – they prevent any other company using their data and then have full control of their pricing. I’m pretty sure that in any real world scenario – for example the recent BAA airports break-up – the Competition Commission would intervene. After all, information which is effectively promoting National Rail’s services should be free? Isn’t it public knowledge?
Any suggestions about what can be done? Is it worth starting a government petition or writing to the Office of Fair Trading? I’d appreciate your thoughts on this.