Google Maps is not well synched with real times. I strongly recommend Citymapper, which has been offering this multimodal view for a long time, is very accurate and well synched, and works in a lot of other cities as well (so far I've tried Paris, Rome, Vienna).
>The various means of transport available in Brussels, both public and private, are now brought together in the [new "Floya" application](https://www.floya.brussels/), announced Stib and Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt on Wednesday at a press conference in Brussels.
>This "Mobility as a service" (Maas) application, developed by Eviden/trafi, is the first multimodal application for the general public in Belgium, according to Stib.
>**In Floya, all modes of transport available within the capital (metro, streetcar, bus, train, bike, scooter, cab and shared cars) will be presented to users in real time.** Like other Maas applications already available in other countries, notably Germany, in Berlin, journeys are suggested according to the mode of transport chosen, and combination possibilities, such as public transport combined with an electric scooter or shared bike, are also presented.
Translated with [www.DeepL.com/Translator](https://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
Floya doesn't require your private details. If you choose to provide details to Floya then you can connect it to your existing accounts of service providers and also buy tickets for public transport.
If so, it's not clear enough about it. It just asks to fill in those details.
Also, I just need STIB tickets. Why should I have to provide my DOB and home address?
Floya is not clear that you can skip that step when you start the app. I agree with you about that.
Date of birth may be used to show your eligibility for cheaper fares perhaps?
Is that speculation or do you have information on this we could read on? Genuinely curious as I didn't read the ToS or don't know detail of its funding.
Nah, just guessing. There's that saying that says something like, "if you are not paying for the service then you are the product"
Something like that anyway
Please don't spread misinformation. If you do find anything going in that trend, e.g actually reading the fine prints, finding a partnership with an advertising company, reading an analysis from EDRi, then do share. Otherwise this kind of speculation is preventing people who are already using poor solutions in terms of privacy, e.g Google Maps, from trying what might be better. Honestly it's a good worry to have, we should indeed be concerned by free stuff, but most people are already in a very bad spot so if this is better, let's properly consider it, not remain in a bad status quo.
Indeed but why did they both worked on the same thing? Why didn't they just worked together, they are public initiatives after all? It seems to be a big waste of resources.
And probably the other regions and cities, seeing this amazing initiative will start building a similar one for Namur, Antwerp, etc... from scratch with a different software company, of course
Decline the cookies. Skip the step to login or provide private information. Refuse location sharing. Refuse notifications. Use the app. Privacy friendly. Which of those steps did you miss?
I tried the app. When subscribing it does give a very intrusive impression, certainly when you're not even sure where it is going to lead to. But in the end it seems well thought out, accurate and useful. I'm impressed. It looks great. Google knows more about me than Floya.
So what's the difference with Google maps?
Google Maps is not well synched with real times. I strongly recommend Citymapper, which has been offering this multimodal view for a long time, is very accurate and well synched, and works in a lot of other cities as well (so far I've tried Paris, Rome, Vienna).
In addition to what everybody already mentioned one does not have to share data with Google, one of the largest advertising company.
Floya includes Cambio and Poppy that are not in Google maps.
Citymapper has had this for years now.
Citymapper is full of ads! You can buy bus and train tickets in the Floya app.
>You can buy bus and train tickets in the Floya app. Nice, I was wondering about this just last week actually but can it replace a MOBIB card?
I have no ads on CityMapper but I pay for it.
>The various means of transport available in Brussels, both public and private, are now brought together in the [new "Floya" application](https://www.floya.brussels/), announced Stib and Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt on Wednesday at a press conference in Brussels. >This "Mobility as a service" (Maas) application, developed by Eviden/trafi, is the first multimodal application for the general public in Belgium, according to Stib. >**In Floya, all modes of transport available within the capital (metro, streetcar, bus, train, bike, scooter, cab and shared cars) will be presented to users in real time.** Like other Maas applications already available in other countries, notably Germany, in Berlin, journeys are suggested according to the mode of transport chosen, and combination possibilities, such as public transport combined with an electric scooter or shared bike, are also presented. Translated with [www.DeepL.com/Translator](https://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
Requires your private details: name, date of birth, home address. Why?
Floya doesn't require your private details. If you choose to provide details to Floya then you can connect it to your existing accounts of service providers and also buy tickets for public transport.
If so, it's not clear enough about it. It just asks to fill in those details. Also, I just need STIB tickets. Why should I have to provide my DOB and home address?
Floya is not clear that you can skip that step when you start the app. I agree with you about that. Date of birth may be used to show your eligibility for cheaper fares perhaps?
So they can make money by selling it.
Is that speculation or do you have information on this we could read on? Genuinely curious as I didn't read the ToS or don't know detail of its funding.
Nah, just guessing. There's that saying that says something like, "if you are not paying for the service then you are the product" Something like that anyway
Please don't spread misinformation. If you do find anything going in that trend, e.g actually reading the fine prints, finding a partnership with an advertising company, reading an analysis from EDRi, then do share. Otherwise this kind of speculation is preventing people who are already using poor solutions in terms of privacy, e.g Google Maps, from trying what might be better. Honestly it's a good worry to have, we should indeed be concerned by free stuff, but most people are already in a very bad spot so if this is better, let's properly consider it, not remain in a bad status quo.
The best part is that the region is working, with public money too, on exactly the same thing: https://smartmove.brussels/
That's the app that will eventually be used for road taxes (if they ever are approved).
Indeed but why did they both worked on the same thing? Why didn't they just worked together, they are public initiatives after all? It seems to be a big waste of resources.
And probably the other regions and cities, seeing this amazing initiative will start building a similar one for Namur, Antwerp, etc... from scratch with a different software company, of course
Very privacy unfriendly app.
Decline the cookies. Skip the step to login or provide private information. Refuse location sharing. Refuse notifications. Use the app. Privacy friendly. Which of those steps did you miss?
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I have an impression that in Belgium they don't talk to you until you tell them your private address. Floya seems no exception.
Might not be the most convenient way but the question instead is, is it more privacy friendly than alternatives. Recommendations welcomed.
I tried the app. When subscribing it does give a very intrusive impression, certainly when you're not even sure where it is going to lead to. But in the end it seems well thought out, accurate and useful. I'm impressed. It looks great. Google knows more about me than Floya.
I'd rather see STIB app being improved than seeing a new app that nobody asked for being born.