Get a BODS API key and add it to Schedulo TXC.

A Schedulo guide · Updated November 2026 · All guides

What is a BODS API key?

The Bus Open Data Service (BODS) is where bus operators in England publish their timetables, fares and live bus locations. Anyone can use that data for free, but software that reads it needs an API key: a long code that identifies you to BODS, a bit like a password for your apps.

The key costs nothing. It is personal to your BODS account, so keep it to yourself and don't paste it into e-mails or shared documents.

What Schedulo TXC uses it for

With your key added once, these parts of Schedulo TXC can reach BODS:

• Performance: live punctuality, comparing where each bus actually is with its booked times.
• Import › Timetables from BODS: look up any operator's published timetables by name or operator code (NOC) and open them.
• Connections: find other operators' services that meet your routes.
• Disruptions: get the current disruptions published on BODS.

You don't need a key to open, edit, check or publish your own TransXChange files. If you only want live bus positions, Performance can also use bustimes.org, which needs no key.

Step 1: get your key from BODS

1. Create a BODS account. Go to data.bus-data.dft.gov.uk and enter your details to create an account. If BODS sends you an e-mail to confirm your address, open it and follow the link before you carry on.
2. Sign in. Use Sign in on the same site.
3. Open Account settings. BODS shows your API key there. In BODS's own words, the key “is linked to your account and should not be shared.”
4. Copy the key. Select the whole key and copy it. You'll paste it into Schedulo TXC in a moment.

Step 2: add it to Schedulo TXC

1. Open Performance. It is near the bottom of the navigation on the left, under Check. You don't need a file open.
2. Go to the Connect tab. It is the first tab along the top of the Performance page.
3. Paste the key into the box on the BODS API key card. The key is hidden as you paste it; turn on Show if you want to check it.
4. Press Test. Schedulo TXC asks BODS whether it accepts the key. You should see “✓ BODS accepted the key.”
5. Press Save key. A message confirms “API key saved”, and the card shows the saved key with only its last four characters visible.

That's it. Every part of Schedulo TXC that uses BODS now uses this key, so you only add it once. To change it later, paste the new key in the same place and press Save key again.

Next: choose your operators

For live punctuality, stay on the Connect tab:

1. Under Live data source, choose BODS, or BODS + bustimes.org to add fleet numbers, registrations and liveries.
2. Under Operators, search by name or national operator code and press Add. BODS sometimes uses its own code: National Express West Midlands is TNXB on BODS, not NXWM.
3. Press Load timetables from BODS, then Start live.

Keeping your key safe

Schedulo TXC keeps the key in its settings on your computer and sends it only to BODS. It is never shown in logs, error messages or exports. The browser version of Schedulo TXC can't call BODS directly, because BODS doesn't allow web pages to, so it passes requests through Schedulo's relay on txc.schedulo.uk, which hands them straight to BODS and keeps nothing.

If the key doesn't work

• “BODS returned HTTP 401” or “403”: BODS didn't recognise the key. Copy it again from your BODS account, making sure you have the whole key and no spaces at either end.
• A connection error: check your internet connection. On a work network, a firewall may be blocking the BODS website; ask your IT team to allow data.bus-data.dft.gov.uk.
• Search or Load timetables is greyed out: the key hasn't been saved yet. Press Save key, and add at least one operator.

Still stuck? E-mail Support@schedulo.uk and we'll help. Never send us the key itself.

Official sources

• Bus Open Data Service: find bus open data
• BODS developer documentation: using the APIs