JOURNEY ALERTS LIMITED

What JOURNEY ALERTS LIMITED does

Journey Alerts Limited is a London-based transport technology company founded in 2015 that delivers app-free, messaging-based passenger information services through WhatsApp, Messenger, and SMS. The platform provides step-by-step journey guidance, real-time disruption alerts, accessibility-focused routing, and a Buddy service that shares live journey status with nominated contacts, requiring no app download, account registration, or sustained mobile data. Underlying capabilities include real-time transport data integration, anomaly detection for disruption events, personalised recommendation logic that accounts for step-free access and cognitive barriers, and mid-journey route optimisation, surfaced entirely as text output through consumer messaging channels.

The company operates a B2B2C model in which transport operators, local authorities, and venue/event owners pay licensing or service fees while end passengers use the platform free of charge. Enterprise customers include major UK rail operators (LNER, South Western Railway, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, ScotRail, P&O Ferries), Network Rail, government clients such as Bedford Borough Council and Oxfordshire County Council, and partners such as Uber and NHS-funded research programmes. White-label deployments such as LNER Assistant and operator-branded QR code campaigns at stations and bus stops form the primary go-to-market motion, complemented by direct messaging access for consumers. The company reports 1.4 million UK users, approximately 5 million journeys supported per month, and over 20 million messages sent annually.

Recent strategic activity includes the launch of the Buddy feature (May 2025), the announcement of the Journey Assistant hardware device for non-smartphone users (December 2024), an Uber disruption-recovery partnership (February 2025), a borough-wide deployment with Bedford Borough Council under the SBRI programme (October 2025), and Station Innovation Zone activity at Bristol Temple Meads with Network Rail and GWR (March 2025). The company is expanding internationally with localised sites in English, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, and Polish and is hiring an International Account Manager for European and Asian clients. It maintains R&D and funding relationships with the Department for Transport, Connected Places Catapult, NHS, and various accessibility advocacy organisations.

Name

JOURNEY ALERTS LIMITED

Legal name

Journey Alerts Limited

Website

https://journey-alerts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Journey Alerts Limited provides app-free, messaging-based passenger information services via WhatsApp, Messenger, and SMS for UK and international transport operators, local authorities, and venues, delivering real-time journey guidance and disruption alerts to over 1.4 million users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Information Platform (Public Transport)

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Modal Aggregators & Trip Planning APIs (Door-to-Door) (THALAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Risk Intelligence, Alerts & Traveler Tracking Solutions (THAKANAF)

Keywords

• Passenger information system
• Public transport messaging
• Real-time journey alerts
• Transit disruption notifications
• Accessible transit platform

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Operator and Authority Licensing: Transport operators and local authorities pay Journey Alerts to provide journey information services to their passengers and residents. This includes white-label deployment of the Journey Assistant/LNER Assistant platform, QR code infrastructure, real-time disruption alerts, and passenger demand analytics. Revenue is derived from licensing fees, service contracts, and potentially usage-based pricing tied to passenger engagement or message volumes. The company operates in the UK, Europe, and Asia with operators including LNER, South Western Railway, East Midlands Railway, and GWR.
2. Venue and Event Services: Venues and event owners pay for Journey Alerts to help visitors reach their locations via public transport, reducing dwell and crowd management issues and supporting sustainable travel.
3. Data Analytics for Transport Partners: Journey Alerts aggregates anonymised passenger demand data across its network of operator and authority partners, sharing insights with transport operators and public sector agencies to improve service planning and real-time operations.
4. Free Consumer Service (B2B2C): End-user passengers receive journey alerts completely free of charge. No app purchase, no subscription, no data charges for receiving messages. Costs are borne by transport operators and local authorities who contract the service to improve passenger experience and reduce support burden.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Journey Alerts Limited operates a messaging-based passenger information platform that delivers real-time journey guidance to UK public transport users via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and SMS without requiring an app download. The platform supports disruption-aware routing, accessibility features, multi-language messaging, and is licensed to train operators, local authorities, and venues to provide free information to passengers.

Product overview

Journey Alerts Limited offers a messaging-based travel assistance platform centered on its core Journey Alerts product, which delivers step-by-step journey instructions via WhatsApp, Messenger, and SMS without requiring app downloads. The platform is designed for accessibility, targeting elderly passengers, disabled users, and those with cognitive barriers. Key modules include the Buddy feature (for sharing journey updates with trusted contacts), Journey Assistant (providing continuous digital support), and the Journey Assistant Hardware Device (a portable device for users without smartphones). QR code integration at transport locations provides touch-free access. A partnership with Uber enables automatic alternative transport booking during disruptions. The product portfolio emphasizes removing technological barriers to travel while providing personalized, real-time guidance throughout journeys.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Journey Assistant: Step-by-step journey guidance service via WhatsApp, Messenger or SMS, providing real-time updates and disruption alerts.
• Buddy

Products and services

• Journey Alerts Platform Core messaging-based passenger information platform that delivers real-time journey planning, live train running updates, and disruption-aware routing to UK public transport passengers via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and SMS, without requiring an app download. Licensed to transport operators and local authorities.
• Buddy Companion service providing proactive, disruption-aware travel companion alerts that follow a passenger's journey and notify them of cancellations, delays, and alternative routing options via messaging channels.
• Journey Assistant (Digital) Digital version of the Journey Assistant that provides personalised, conversational journey planning through messaging channels, including live train running data, disruption-aware routing, and multi-language support.
• Journey Assistant Hardware Device Physical touchscreen device deployed at stations that enables passengers to access Journey Alerts via QR code scan, features an audio induction loop, and is accessibility-focused, including for blind and partially sighted users.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% user retention rate (vs 77% of operator apps deleted within 3 days)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• P&O FerriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerP&O Ferries is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for accessible transport technology. The partnership supports Journey Alerts' mission to make travel accessible to everyone.
• South Western RailwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Western Railway (SWR) deployed Journey Alerts to deliver real-time journey updates via WhatsApp and Messenger to its passengers. SWR ran the 'Stay on Track' campaign promoting the service on station screens and social media, resulting in significant new user sign-ups. The partnership provides continuous passenger support throughout SWR services.
• London North Eastern Railway (LNER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLNER's Journey Assistant, built on Journey Alerts' platform, is widely recognised as one of the strongest examples of real-time passenger information delivery in the UK rail industry. LNER chose to work with a company that specialises in passenger information rather than building capability in-house.
• Great Western Railway (GWR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGWR partnered with Journey Alerts and Network Rail at Bristol Temple Meads as part of the Station Innovation Zone programme. The partnership provides Journey Assistant services to passengers with travel anxiety, offering step-by-step guidance via WhatsApp and SMS as an extension of station staff support.
• East Midlands Railway (EMR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Midlands Railway delivers journey information through WhatsApp, SMS, and Messenger using the Journey Alerts platform, with no download, no registration, and no data harvested beyond what is necessary to deliver the service.
• ScotRailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScotRail is listed as a transport operator partner working with Journey Alerts to provide improved passenger information services.
• Bedford Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBedford Borough Council partnered with Journey Alerts to launch a service providing live bus updates, disruption warnings, and alternative travel options via QR codes at every bus stop throughout the borough. The service is funded through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) programme and focuses on supporting bus travel for residents and visitors.
• England's Economic HeartlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngland's Economic Heartland, a regional transport body, is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for accessible transport technology.
• Department For TransportmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Department For Transport is a key research and funding partner supporting Journey Alerts' R&D programmes. Their backing provides legitimacy and alignment with national transport strategy, particularly around accessibility and passenger information.
• Oxfordshire County CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxfordshire County Council is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for accessible transport technology.
• Rail Safety and Standards BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Rail Safety and Standards Board is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes, supporting industry-wide standards for accessible rail travel.
• Connected Places CatapultmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected Places Catapult is a key innovation partner supporting Journey Alerts' pilot programmes, including the Station Innovation Zone at Bristol Temple Meads with Network Rail and GWR. The partnership connects Journey Alerts with government innovation funding and transport technology expertise.
• Transport For LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport For London is listed as a partner in Journey Alerts' transport ecosystem, potentially integrating the service with London's multimodal transport network.
• NHSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NHS funded research into cognitive barriers faced by people with dementia on public transport, involving six workshops with 30 individuals, their carers, clinicians, and transport operators. Journey Alerts uses this research to develop its accessible journey guidance services and advocates for industry-wide adoption of information solutions.
• Transport FocusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport Focus, the independent transport user watchdog, is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes.
• Network RailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Rail partnered with Journey Alerts and GWR at Bristol Temple Meads Station Innovation Zone, where Journey Assistant provides step-by-step guidance to passengers with travel anxiety as an extension of station staff support. The partnership aims to ensure the help passengers receive at stations carries on throughout their journey.
• UbercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney Alerts partnered with Uber to automatically arrange alternative transport during unexpected train disruptions. If a train is delayed or cancelled, Journey Alerts arranges an Uber ride to get passengers to their destination without needing the Uber app. Updates and ride details are sent via WhatsApp or Messenger. The service was piloted as a government-backed initiative and is being rolled out in Bristol and Bedfordshire.
• Guide DogsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuide Dogs is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for accessible transport technology.
• Young Dementia NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung Dementia Network is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes focused on the travel needs of younger people with dementia.
• Community Transport AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Transport Association is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes.
• Guideposts TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuideposts Trust is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for accessible transport.
• Dementia OxfordshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDementia Oxfordshire is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes focused on dementia-friendly travel.
• Rail Delivery GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail Delivery Group is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for rail industry accessibility.
• Traveline CymruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraveline Cymru is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes, with Welsh-language support for the cy.journey-alerts.com site.
• University of BirminghamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Birmingham is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes for accessible transport technology.
• Mayor of LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mayor of London is listed as a partner contributing to Journey Alerts' research and development programmes, potentially supporting integration with London's transport network.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Transit App: Multi-modal journey planning app popular in North America with real-time disruption-aware routing and operator data partnerships. Comparable on the multi-modal aggregator / passenger information axis, differing primarily in delivery channel (native app vs messaging) and geography.
• Moovit: Multi-modal journey planning platform serving both B2C passengers and B2B transit operators with white-label and analytics offerings. Closest direct competitor in combining operator-grade passenger information with multi-modal aggregation, though delivered via app rather than messaging channels.
• Citymapper: Multi-modal urban journey planner serving passengers with real-time routing across rail, bus, tube, and walking. Directly comparable to Journey Alerts on the trip-planning and disruption-handling dimension, though Citymapper is app-based and B2C-focused rather than messaging-first and B2B2C.
• Zipabout: UK-based B2B passenger information and demand-data platform serving train operators with disruption communications and journey assistance. Most direct UK rail B2B peer to Journey Alerts — same customer base (UK TOCs), same white-label deployment model, overlapping feature set on disruption alerts.

Broad incumbents

• Trainline: Largest UK independent rail information and ticketing platform, with multi-modal and bus coach extensions. Comparable on UK rail passenger information but operates as a B2C ticketing marketplace with a broader commercial scope than messaging-based passenger information.
• Cubic Transportation Systems: Established global provider of transit ticketing, fare collection, and real-time passenger information systems for major transit authorities. Comparable as a B2B supplier of passenger information infrastructure, though operating at much larger contract scale and with a longer sales cycle.
• Google Maps: Dominant general-purpose travel information platform with embedded real-time transit routing and disruption alerts across most major operators globally. Provides the free-tier alternative that Journey Alerts' messaging channel must continue to differentiate against, especially on accessibility and simplicity.

Emerging players

• Swiftly: Transit data and analytics platform serving North American bus and rail agencies with real-time passenger information and demand analytics. Comparable on the operator-facing passenger information and data analytics axis, though more US-focused and app-based than messaging-first.
• VIA Transportation: Provider of transit data infrastructure and demand-response transit software to public transit agencies globally. Comparable as a transit-tech supplier addressing operator passenger information and on-demand mobility orchestration, though with a different primary focus on paratransit and microtransit operations.

Others

• Uber: Global ride-hailing platform and active integration partner of Journey Alerts (Uber-disruption-recovery feature). Not a direct competitor in messaging-based passenger information, but a strategic ecosystem partner whose transit initiatives and platform economics shape the MaaS landscape in which Journey Alerts operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/journeyalerts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/journey-alerts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JOURNEY ALERTS LIMITED