National Rail App

[Recessio]

What was the last version prior to the new one?

9.6.5.2 was the last version before this one. The only other version on APK Mirror is 9.6.5.1, which has the same bug that doesn't allow me to change the departure/arrival time from the present time. Unfortunately, they don't have any earlier versions of the app as far as I can see.

Sadly I also no longer have my old phone which would have had a much older version installed.

 

[Morayshire]

I got my version of 9.6.5.2 from uptodown.com. Link is below. They do have other versions prior to 9.6.5.2 but I have not tried to download any of them. Usual caveats about downloading and installing at your own risk apply.

National Rail app page on uptodown.com

 

[Adam Williams]

I did try showing latest release reviews only but Google in their infinite wisdom use that to search for reviews containing the words latest release, rather than searching for reviews where the latest release has been installed.

If I use the Google Play app and filter with the Latest Release option there, it does seem to work and correctly filter down the reviews to just those left against the Bubblewrap app. There are no reviews prior to 12/09/2024. I haven't done any analysis but 95% of them appear to be 1 star reviews.

 

[Efini92]

Hi, long-time lurker, first-time poster. I'm Jon, the creator of Railboard. Those screenshots are actually of the Railboard iOS app, not the National Rail app.

It uses the same data feeds and is very similar to the old National Rail (here's just how similar: https://www.railboard.com/articles/national-rail-vs-railboard). So, at first glance, it might seem like they've reintroduced the 'Earlier trains' button, but alas not.

And apologies in advance that Railboard isn't available on Android yet! I'm an iOS developer, which is why I made it for iPhone first, but making the Android version is very much the next big priority!

Thanks Jon,
Been a long time user of the national rail app but since the update it’s not fit for purpose.
This app is a perfect replacement.

 

[YayTrains]

Is that a bad thing?

It won't be a good thing.

 

[infobleep]

!

If I use the Google Play app and filter with the Latest Release option there, it does seem to work and correctly filter down the reviews to just those left against the Bubblewrap app. There are no reviews prior to 12/09/2024. I haven't done any analysis but 95% of them appear to be 1 star reviews.

Well all I was getting was reviews with the words latest review in them. The oldest being from 2018!

9.6.5.2 was the last version before this one. The only other version on APK Mirror is 9.6.5.1, which has the same bug that doesn't allow me to change the departure/arrival time from the present time. Unfortunately, they don't have any earlier versions of the app as far as I can see.

Sadly I also no longer have my old phone which would have had a much older version installed.

I'm on 9.6.5.1 but I'm not aware of any bugs like the one you describe, or I should say I haven't encountered it. This is on Android.

 

[Recessio]

I'm on 9.6.5.1 but I'm not aware of any bugs like the one you describe, or I should say I haven't encountered it. This is on Android.

Interesting. Glad to hear that it's working for you! Maybe it's just a problem with my phone then (sadly). Maybe I'll try an older version from another APK hosting site and see if I can replicate the fault on even older versions - that way I'll know if it's just me.

I would pay good money to have an Android version of Railboard!

 

[JonCox]

Thanks Jon,
Been a long time user of the national rail app but since the update it’s not fit for purpose.
This app is a perfect replacement.

Happy to hear you're liking Railboard!

I would pay good money to have an Android version of Railboard!

Thanks, that's nice to know, and you're not the first to say that! But when the Android version is eventually released, it will be free and funded by selling tickets, like the iOS version

 

[eoff]

I see that the developers of the NR app are now replying to the reviews on the Apple App Store.

 

[Adam Williams]

I see that the developers of the NR app are now replying to the reviews on the Apple App Store.

They need to write fewer English platitudes and more lines of Kotlin and Swift.

 

[Ashley Hill]

My phone updated to the latest version the other day,it’s awful and hard work. The old version was far simpler.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Interesting. Glad to hear that it's working for you! Maybe it's just a problem with my phone then (sadly). Maybe I'll try an older version from another APK hosting site and see if I can replicate the fault on even older versions - that way I'll know if it's just me.

I would pay good money to have an Android version of Railboard!

I think that the planning date bug only relates to Google pixel phones

 

[Recessio]

I think that the planning date bug only relates to Google pixel phones

And guess which type of phone I have! Well, at least the older versions of the app from the APK host websites will work for (most) other people.

 

[sikejsudjek]

They seem to be replying on Google play store too.'We're sorry you don't like our new app ... we're planning some updates soon'. How about you just re-instate the one that we had before! The new 'app' is garbage. Scrap it and just tweak the appearance of the old app a bit if you want to pretend its 'updated'.

 

[cerij757]

I think that the planning date bug only relates to Google pixel phones

Yes it does, I have the issue with my Pixel 8 (this is discussed earlier in this thread)

There is an app for Android called On Rails which seems quite promising, albeit lacks several of the features of the old NRE app

Saw this on Reddit:

Sign the Petition

Reinstate the Previous Version of the National Rail App

www.change.org

 

[cuccir]

Interesting. Glad to hear that it's working for you! Maybe it's just a problem with my phone then (sadly). Maybe I'll try an older version from another APK hosting site and see if I can replicate the fault on even older versions - that way I'll know if it's just me.

I would pay good money to have an Android version of Railboard!

I also don't have the bugs you describe on the 9.6.5.2 version from APK Mirror. Fingers crossed it's working well so far!

But it's not a long term option let's be honest - having old apps opens you up to bugs like this developing. So yes other options are welcome!

 

[flitwickbeds]

But it's not a long term option let's be honest - having old apps opens you up to bugs like this developing. So yes other options are welcome!

Not only bugs, but I imagine it won't be long now until NRE turn off the API powering the app, which will make even the old APKs stop working instantly.

 

[MrJeeves]

Not only bugs, but I imagine it won't be long now until NRE turn off the API powering the app, which will make even the old APKs stop working instantly.

I highly doubt it. The APIs used by the app are essentially just the open data APIs provided to developers by RDG.

 

[flitwickbeds]

I highly doubt it. The APIs used by the app are essentially just the open data APIs provided to developers by RDG.

But there might be another API between the app and NRE's servers which is tailored for app use.

App > API to server > API to data > Response back to app

 

[infobleep]

I see that the developers of the NR app are now replying to the reviews on the Apple App Store.

They have been doing this on the Android store too.

I wonder what they think of the average 1.1 user rating.

Yes it does, I have the issue with my Pixel 8 (this is discussed earlier in this thread)

There is an app for Android called On Rails which seems quite promising, albeit lacks several of the features of the old NRE app

Saw this on Reddit:

Sign the Petition

Reinstate the Previous Version of the National Rail App

www.change.org

Who owns National Rail Enquiries? I take it they are an independent private company.

I only wonder this because someone set up the petition on change.org. I wonder sometimes if petitions are better on the parliament Web site rather than change.org.

They seem to be replying on Google play store too.'We're sorry you don't like our new app ... we're planning some updates soon'. How about you just re-instate the one that we had before! The new 'app' is garbage. Scrap it and just tweak the appearance of the old app a bit if you want to pretend its 'updated'.

Given it was popular with the users testing it, I wonder what these updates will be?

If it becomes a whole scale change, will they do a sessions learned on their user testing? If they didn't uncover the things the wider userbase pick up, then something has gone wrong with their user testing.

 

[Mainline421]

Who owns National Rail Enquiries? I take it they are an independent private company.

It is jointly owned by all TOCs (plus Freight/charter operators, also Sheffield Supertram for some reason) and Network Rail, so not really independent, but technically not a matter for parliament either.

 

[infobleep]

It is jointly owned by all TOCs (plus Freight/charter operators, also Sheffield Supertram for some reason) and Network Rail, so not really independent, but technically not a matter for parliament either.

But the government does want to create Great British Railways. I guess it remains me be seen if that includes a nationalised information service.

They do give money to subsidise some train services so one might argue MPs should have a view on this.

 

[Stephen42]

It is jointly owned by all TOCs (plus Freight/charter operators, also Sheffield Supertram for some reason) and Network Rail, so not really independent, but technically not a matter for parliament either.

Train Information Services Limited doesn't include Network Rail as an owner. ATOC Limited in its March 2023 accounts has a government grant of £1.5m to complete modernisation of National Rail Enquiries digital platforms which parliament could hold ministers to account for. Agree it's not a parliament decision on what version of the app is live, only the government funding of what hasn't been a hugely successful redesign.

But the government does want to create Great British Railways. I guess it remains me be seen if that includes a nationalised information service.

They do give money to subsidise some train services so one might argue MPs should have a view on this.

Possibly, National Rail Enquiries would be mostly state owned/controlled once the operators are nationalised though the entities privately owned complicate matters. None of the intellectual property would be government owned so any potential nationalised service would have to buy it or completely move away from the National Rail brand (or buy bits and replace the rest). Some people are presumably in for a world of fun trying to work out what is publicly owned after operators are nationalised and what areas of duplication are ripe for efficiencies to show 'quick wins'.

 

[thedbdiboy]

It is jointly owned by all TOCs (plus Freight/charter operators, also Sheffield Supertram for some reason) and Network Rail, so not really independent, but technically not a matter for parliament either.

But the government does want to create Great British Railways. I guess it remains me be seen if that includes a nationalised information service.

They do give money to subsidise some train services so one might argue MPs should have a view on this.

National Rail Enquiries is owned by the TOCs so is effectively in the process of being nationalised. A significant share is already under public ownership via DOHL (Northern, TPE, LNER and Southeastern) as well as the TfW and Scotrail shares and the remainder will pass over as the other TOCs move 'in house'.
The statutory requirement is for a telephone enquiry service (reflecting the society of the early 90s). The web/app side was a development of the 'information' provision but society has moved faster than the rather clunky NRE structure can deal with - these days people want an integrated app that also sells tickets. Well, GBR were originally going to do that under the Shapps model, and then they weren't because the Treasury baulked at paying for it when (in their eyes) Trainline etc did it for 'free' (yes, I know it's not actually free).
One of the things GBR and Government will need to agree on is a policy-level decision about what and how the rail industry sells directly in future. Understandably, the Third Party Retailers (including Trainline) will be watching this closely, and they have considerable lobbying power too. The outcome of that will heavily influence the 'information' side of NRE.

 

[infobleep]

National Rail Enquiries is owned by the TOCs so is effectively in the process of being nationalised. A significant share is already under public ownership via DOHL (Northern, TPE, LNER and Southeastern) as well as the TfW and Scotrail shares and the remainder will pass over as the other TOCs move 'in house'.
The statutory requirement is for a telephone enquiry service (reflecting the society of the early 90s). The web/app side was a development of the 'information' provision but society has moved faster than the rather clunky NRE structure can deal with - these days people want an integrated app that also sells tickets. Well, GBR were originally going to do that under the Shapps model, and then they weren't because the Treasury baulked at paying for it when (in their eyes) Trainline etc did it for 'free' (yes, I know it's not actually free).
One of the things GBR and Government will need to agree on is a policy-level decision about what and how the rail industry sells directly in future. Understandably, the Third Party Retailers (including Trainline) will be watching this closely, and they have considerable lobbying power too. The outcome of that will heavily influence the 'information' side of NRE.

Whatever people think of Trainline, they have more weight than say Trainsplit wpuld, due to how big they are and how many tickets they sell.

This though benefits other smaller retailers as maybe if it was just them, they might not taken them into account so much.

That is just me thinking out loud. I have no actual knowledge. Just could see rhat being the case.

 

[yorksrob]

The app has always had a glitch whereby if you change the date and time of the outward journey, it doesn't automatically alter the return journey to be after the outward time.

One would have thought that the recent re-vamp would have been a good opportunity to address this, however no. Making the app worse was obviously a higher priority.

 

[Doomotron]

I've always used the Southeastern app, I've never had any issue with it. I think it's worth shopping around with the different ticket apps (including TOC apps) to find the best one, although I'm fine with what I have now.

I used to use Google Maps for train and bus times but stopped using it after it began to give incorrect platform information at stations (I've missed multiple trains because of it), and then the very useful live departures iOS widget was removed with iOS 18 as it used the old widget system and Google never updated it to the new one.

 

[Ashley Hill]

My NRE app will not open today,anyone else having this issue?

 

[infobleep]

My NRE app will not open today,anyone else having this issue?

Which version are you on?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Which version are you on?

10.3.1