Introducing LocalGov Bus Data: Bringing Bus Information into Your Council Website

The Drupal LocalGov Bus Data module was funded by Cumberland Council and delivered as a “build to share” initiative. This module helps councils publish bus stop, route and timetable information directly on their websites using data from the Bus Open Data Service (BODS).

Thanks so much to Craig Barker, Kate Hurr, Shazia Attia ... and all the other cool people at Cumberland Council who have made this a reality.

Built for councils, with councils in mind

LocalGov Bus Data has been designed to integrate seamlessly with LocalGov Drupal or any Drupal website, supporting councils to deliver consistent, user-focused digital services.

It follows a simple but powerful principle:

solve a common problem once — and share the solution with everyone.

What does LocalGov Bus Data do?

The module connects your Drupal website to BODS and imports:

• Bus stops
• Routes
• Timetables

This data is refreshed regularly (typically daily), ensuring residents have access to reliable, up-to-date scheduled service information.

With LocalGov Bus Data, councils can present:

• Local bus stops and their details
• Routes serving specific areas
• Timetable information in a clear, accessible format

—all within their own website.

Why this matters for councils

Public transport information is essential — but often fragmented across multiple operator websites and apps.

LocalGov Bus Data helps councils bring that information together in one place.

A better resident experience

Residents can access bus information directly from your website, without needing to navigate multiple external services.

Clear, consistent information

By using a single national data source (BODS), councils can present structured, standardised timetable data.

No need to build from scratch

This module removes the need for bespoke integrations, saving time and cost.

Making open data useful

BODS provides the data — this module turns it into something practical and usable for residents.

A true “build to share” success

Cumberland Council funded the development of this module with a clear goal:
create something that benefits not just one council, but all councils.

Now, any UK council can adopt and use LocalGov Bus Data for free.

This is local government collaboration at its best:

• One council invests
• Many councils benefit
• Everyone can contribute improvements

Ready to use, flexible to extend

LocalGov Bus Data is:

• Easy to adopt for councils already using LocalGov Drupal
• Flexible for teams that want to customise how data is presented
• Open source, so enhancements can be shared back with the community

Whether you want a straightforward listing of bus services or a richer transport information hub, the module gives you a strong starting point.

Looking ahead

While this module focuses on scheduled timetable data, it lays the groundwork for richer transport experiences in the future. If we can get funding, we'd love to build a "live bus info" feature, so you can click on any bus stop and get up to the second information on when the next bus will arrive.

By bringing transport data into council platforms, we’re moving towards:

• More joined-up local services
• Better use of national datasets
• More accessible information for residents

Let’s build the next thing together

If you’re a council looking to contribute to shared digital solutions across local government, we’d love to help.

The Confident specialises in building reusable, open-source solutions for councils — just like LocalGov Bus Data, the Drupal Public Consultations module, and more. 

Get in touch with The Confident and let’s build something that benefits not just your council — but every council.