Thames Clippers' App is just the ticket

By Simon Hayes on May 24, 2010 11:31 AM |

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Thames Clippers passengers will have all the latest service information at their fingertips thanks to an enterprising Isle of Dogs resident.

Charlie Seligman, a Clippers commuter, has developed an iPhone app which shows a "dynamic timetable" for the river service, and over 2,000 passengers have already downloaded it for free.

The Burrell's Wharf resident used to work for Barclays in Canary Wharf, but is now an IT consultant based near Tower Bridge. He explained how he came up with the idea.

He said: "I've loved using Thames Clippers since I first discovered the service. But it wasn't always very easy to get the service information. Going online could be quite slow, while there wasn't always a timetable available.

"I'd been interested in developing apps for a while and this seemed like a logical one to work on.

"It only took about three weeks to develop and when I approached Thames Clippers about it, they were delighted with the idea.

"I'm really pleased with it, as it's ideal for tourists and commuters, including me."

The app gives details of all services from the main piers along the river, although the Hilton Ferry and the Tate-to-Tate services are not included.

Charlie, 32, is not resting on his laurels. He's developing other apps, including one called the sunrise alarm.

He said: "I thought there was a better way of being woken up than with a standard alarm, so I came up with this. For about 10 minutes before you want to be woken your phone will start playing birdsong, crickets and that sort of thing, while the screen gradually gets brighter.

"So, you can be woken up gently by the sunrise app, and then check your commute to work with the Clippers' one."