🚏VVO

This is a comprehensive list of API endpoints, libraries, apps, tools and resources for accessing public transportation data in the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO) network, which includes the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB).

This repository serves as the primary community resource for Dresden transit API documentation, containing reverse-engineered specifications, links to client libraries, and a comprehensive ecosystem overview.

This document is inspired by derhuerst/vbb-modules.

Got any more info, details, links? Please don't hesitate to open an issue and/or PR!

Documentation Overview

• API Comparison Guide - Feature matrix and selection guide for choosing the right API
• Widget API - Simple GET-based API for departure monitors
• WebAPI - JSON REST API used by mobile apps
• TRIAS API - Official XML-based API following European standards
• GTFS Data - Standard transit data format with static and real-time feeds
• SIRI ET Real-Time Data - DELFI real-time feed with delays, cancellations, and occupancy
• Dresden OpenData - Geographic transit datasets via OGC API Features (lines, stops, accessibility)

Legal Information

EU Open Data Requirements: Under EU Regulation 2017/1926, transit data must be made available in machine-readable formats. VVO complies through various APIs and data formats.

Usage Terms:

• Widget API: Non-commercial use only, fair use policy applies
• WebAPI: No official terms, use respectfully
• TRIAS: Official API, commercial use allowed with agreement

For commercial applications or high-volume usage, contact VVO at opendata@vvo-online.de.

Static Data

• stations.json - Complete station data with metadata and transit lines
• stations.geojson - All stations as GeoJSON for mapping applications
• stations.csv - Tabular list of all stations with coordinates and operators
• stations_summary.md - Statistics and summary of the VVO network
• abbreviations_dresden.csv - Station abbreviations in Dresden
• abbreviations_regional.csv - Station abbreviations in surrounding areas
• liniennetzplan.jpg - Current DVB standard network map (JPEG)
• liniennetzplan.pdf - Current DVB standard network map (PDF)
• VVO_STOPS.JSON - Official daily updated station data (external)

APIs

Open Access APIs

• TRIAS API - http://efa.vvo-online.de:8080/std3/trias

  • Official XML-based API following VDV 431-2 standard
  • Comprehensive features: journey planning, real-time departures, stop search
  • No authentication required (use RequestorRef: "OpenService")
  • VDV Standard v1.1 or v1.2

• Widget API - http://widgets.vvo-online.de

  • Simple GET-based API for departure monitors
  • Lightweight JSON responses
  • ⚠️ Non-commercial use only
  • Documentation (reverse-engineered)

• WebAPI - https://webapi.vvo-online.de

  • JSON REST API used by mobile apps
  • Real-time data with delays, platform info, and occupancy levels
  • Map pins, tariff zone polygons, trip PDF export
  • Comprehensive but unofficial
  • Documentation (reverse-engineered)

• EFA Classic - http://efa.vvo-online.de:8080

  • Legacy XML trip planning interface
  • Being superseded by TRIAS
  • No public documentation

Restricted Access APIs

• DVB WebDFI - http://dfi.dvb.de/

  • Digital departure display interface
  • Requires registration with DVB
  • For business customers only
  • See #3 for details

• DVB Maps API

  • POI search and reverse geocoding
  • Internal API, not publicly accessible
  • No documentation available

Data Downloads

• SIRI ET Real-Time Feed — via Mobilithek / mirror

  • Real-time delay predictions, cancellations, occupancy, platform info
  • SIRI 2.0 XML format, updated every ~5 minutes
  • Covers DVB and 15+ regional operators
  • Licensed under CC BY-SA

• GTFS Feeds

  • Static: Daily updated schedule data
  • Real-time: Trip updates and service alerts (via GTFS-RT)
  • Standard format compatible with many tools

• Dresden OpenData Portal - https://kommisdd.dresden.de/net4/public/ogcapi/

  • Geographic data: Line routes, stop locations, infrastructure
  • Accessibility information: Platform heights, tactile paving
  • OGC API Features standard (GeoJSON/JSON)
  • Open Data License, commercial use allowed

Libraries

Client libraries for various languages, sorted in no particular order. Although some of the names are specific to the DVB, most if not all of them are compatible with everything in the VVO network.

• Node.js: dvbjs - WebAPI client with TypeScript support
• Python: dvbpy - Pythonic WebAPI wrapper
• Haskell: dresdner-verkehrsbetriebe - Widget API client
• Swift: DVB - iOS/macOS client for WebAPI
• Java: jVVO - WebAPI client for JVM
• Ruby: dvbrb - Supports both APIs
• Go: dvbgo - WebAPI client
• Rust: dvb-rs - WebAPI client

Other

• TripKit/VvoProvider - Part of TripKit, a Swift port of schildbach/public-transport-enabler for the iOS app ÖPNV Navigator

Apps

Mobile apps known and used in Dresden.

• DVB mobil - Official, cross-platform
• ÖPNV Navigator - iOS, not specific to the VVO network
• Öffi - Android
• Haltestellenmonitor-v3 - iOS

Assistive apps & accessibility

• DVBerry - a Kotlin app that reads out departures for nearby VVO stops for blind and visually impaired users

Deprecated

• Manni - iOS (no longer on App Store, repository archived)
• DVB-Verspaetungen - Android app informing you about the current delay situation (repository archived)
• FahrInfo Dresden - cross-platform (removed from public stores)
• Faplino - Android (removed from Play Store in July 2022)

Tools, UIs & Experiments

• Home Assistant Integration - Show current departure data for selected stop on Home Assistant Dashboard
• Magic Mirror - Shows current departure data (using dvbpy)
• alfred_dvb - Alfred workflow for departure data (using dvbgo)
• Amazon Echo - Tweet @ubahnverleih for more info
• catch-my-bus - ruby script notifying you about your next bus
• catch-my-bus-python - GTK3 StatusIcon showing current departure data
• DVBot - DVB Facebook Messenger Bot
• ddplan - Electron based station monitor that lives in the menubar
• Abfahrtsmonitor - Departure board for your Apple Watch
• hubot-dvb - Hubot script (using dvbjs)
• dresden-departure-monitor - Bashscript for getting current departure times
• AbfahrtsTV - Current departure times on your AppleTV, 'cause why not
• DVBManniBot - Telegram bot f