How to use the VBB easy app

Introduction  

  • You can use the VBB easy app together with the VBB GuideMeGo app. It is better to install both apps at home. Some things have to be entered, for example favorites and helpers with phone number. We tried to make it as easy as possible. But we are still learning how to do it. If it is too complicated, let someone help you.
  • Once you've used the app a few times, we are sure it will get easier for you.
  • Our app just came out for the Special Olympics World Games. If you notice any bugs, feel free to contact .
  • The footpath description is still getting improved. In the footpath description you will sometimes find photos. They should make it easier to find the exit or the right platform.  The photos are only available at stations near the venues of the Special Olympics World Games. This is a test phase. The photos are property of VBB. No people are recognizable in the photos.
  • We have also created a flyer for our apps, which you can get here.

Overview of the functions

When you set up the app, you have to enter a few things. For example, you first have to allow the app to use your location. This is the address where you are at that moment. The app only uses the address for a route search. It is anonymous and will not be shared with anyone (link to vbb.de/privacy). You can choose a picture for yourself. This can be a painted picture from the app. Or it can be a photo from your phone, for example of yourself. You can create your first favorites. For that you have to choose a picture (painted picture from the app or photo from your phone). Then you can search for the address or stop that you saved as a favorite. For example, the address of your sports club. For Special Olympics we have entered all sports types and all event locations. You can simply search for swimming SOWG 2023. Then the correct address is stored. Then you have to create a helper. For this you can choose a picture again and enter the cell phone number. You can call the helper later. When everything is set up, you can use the app to find a way. The first time you do this, you'll get little hints in red boxes about what the individual symbols mean or what you're looking at. If you can remember that, you can click on the white cross. Then the tips will not pop up the next time.

  • You can save a maximum of 7 favorites.
  • For example, this can be your home or your work or your sports club. The app saves the address. You give the favorite a name, for example soccer or home. You can add a picture or a photo to it. The app also knows your location, where you are. That's the circle in the middle with your picture that you chose during setup. The app must have permission for the location.

You can easily search for a route using Favorites. You drag your index finger from one image or your location to another. That means: I want to go from there to there. For example: I want to go from my location to work.You can select another destination as well. For that you have to tap on Other location. Then you can search for your destination, for example, Olympic Stadium or an address. The app will find the best way and show you several options.You can also change the date or time. You need to choose one route option. Tap on the route.The app shows you if the bus or train is on time.

In your route you can press GO. Then you will get tips for your way step by step.For example: Walk to the station S Olympiastadion (Berlin), S3 leaves at 17:35, The way takes 9 minutes.Then you can continue swiping. Then comes for example: Get on S3 direction S Erkner Bf, S3 arrives 17:35 on track 1.You can see all steps to the destination and get a lot of information.The departure time shows if the bus or train is on time. The delay is shown with a red + and the number of minutes as well.

You can view a description for your footpath. Press Show me the footpath. There it says how you have to go. For example, turn right, continue straight, arrival. Next to the directions are numbers. They tell you how long you have to walk until a new hint appears.The footpath description is still a work in progress. This means that we still have to improve it. If you have any suggestions for improvement, please send us an e-mail to Appservice@vbb.de.At some stations there are photos in the path description. Hopefully this will help you find your way to the exit. Next to the text Show me the way you will find a picture for a map. Press on it. Then you can see your way on the map. Maybe it is easier to find the way this way.On Apple phones, the map is always there. On Android phones, the map is only there for the walk to the train or bus and the last way to your destination. The Android phones can't do that differently yet.

  • There is a menu. You'll find it by the three dashes in a row in the red bar of the app. Press on it. There you will find settings Do you not want to use a certain mean of transport, for example the subway. Then click on the red box next to subway until it is white. Then you get a route without subway. This also works with other means of transportDo you want to change little or not at all? This is then marked. You will get a connection on which you have to change trains at most once.
  • Do you need or want a routing without stairs? Then tap on Fully accessible. The red dot will appear there and it will be under Accessibility. Conditionally accessible means that there are escalators.We get notifications when elevators break down. Then they are not displayed in the app. Sometimes it doesn't work. Then the elevator has just broken down. Unfortunately, we don't have a solution for that yet. But otherwise you can be sure that it works. Hopefully that's already better than no information at all.
  • Can't walk that fast or drive with a wheelchair? Then you can adjust the walking speed and click Slow. If you are fast, you can click Fast. That way the minutes for the walk will be more correct for you.

You need help on your way? Then press the button at the top of the red bar.You can call a person that you have saved in the easy app during setup. (phone handset icon). You can also send a text message with the address where you are (letter icon). This happens automatically. You will see the message you send.You can also create 2 helpers. For this you have to go to the menu with the three white stripes on top of the red bar. There you see your helpers. Click on it. You can edit the first helper, for example change or delete it. You can also create 2 new helpers.You can also call the GuideMeGo video help. To do so, click on the GuideMeGo logo. This will take you directly to the GuideMeGo app. You need to download it to your phone first.You can then make a video call. You can save private people for it. You can also call the VBB video help. You can show the helper where you are. The helper will tell you where you need to go.

You would like someone to be with you on your way? You can have someone accompany you via your cell phone.That's what the VBB GuideMeGo app is for. You can start it from the VBB easy app. But you have to install the GuideMeGo app on your cell phone first and set it up. When you press the GuideMeGo button for the first time, it will take you to the App Store or Play Store. In GuideMeGo, you can also set up helpers. Then you have them twice. In the VBB easy for a normal call and a text message where you are. In the GuideMeGo for a video call with the automatic info where you are.The calls via GuideMeGo are video calls. So the person can see where you are and what is around you. It is then easier to help you. You can walk together until you know the right way again.But you can also call VBB helpers in GuideMeGo during the Special Olympics World Games. If you pressed GO in the easy app and then called a VBB helper, they would see your path on a map and be able to help you even better.It sounds complicated. But once you set it up and practice it, it's easy. In the beginning, someone might help you with it.