Madeira Bus App Looks to Improve Public Transport Experience
A new app called Madeira Bus aims to make public transport on Madeira easier to use. It’s a solo project by Brian, an ambitious developer who has put a lot of heart into something he truly believes in. I asked him a few questions and encourage everyone to give the Madeira Bus app a try, share feedback, and support Brian in improving it.
Find the Madeira Bus App Here
▶️ Android
Madeira Bus App Google Play Store
▶️ Mac
Madeira Bus App AppStore
Interview with Madeira Bus Developer Brian
Would you like to briefly introduce yourself to the readers, are you from Madeira?
I’m Brian, a solo developer that lived in Madeira for about a year and fell in love with the island. While living there I sometimes struggled with navigating the buses and figuring out how to get from one place to another, especially outside Funchal.
When did you first get the idea to create the Madeira Bus app, and what problem were you trying to solve?
I got the idea maybe 6 months ago — I’m not sure of the exact moment. I have a dream of one day moving back, and I wanted to grow as a developer and build something useful to people. I thought, how hard can it be? It turned out quite hard. My first attempt was so bad I had to throw it away after many hours and start over.
My goal is to make it so that anyone taking a bus on the island can always know how to get where they want to go, with minimal confusion and stress. It’s a great place to explore by bus.
What do you think of public transportation in Madeira and what are the aspects you think need to be improved and how does the app contribute to it?
I’m a huge fan of public transport in general, and I love riding the bus in Madeira - although I have a fear of heights
The views are amazing, and the people are open and very cool.
I think the bus network is better than people realize, and I hope to show that with my app. Right now I’m pulling data from publicly available schedules and working to get all the bus stops right, but it’s slow going since I’m one person doing this in my free time. I’m also reaching out to the government about getting direct data access for the other operators like Rodoeste and CAM. I hope to get the app to the point where anyone can just type in where they want to go and instantly see their options.
This app might well be the best non-commercial app I've ever used. UI is beautiful! Although as a visual person I wish there were route maps OR a overall map where all stops situate (big map fan). Thank you for initiative!!
5 Star Review on Google Play Store
How would you describe the app to someone who has never used it?
Right now it’s a simple pocket guide for anyone who wants to take a bus in Madeira, with a route planner built in. It’s made for residents and tourists alike. I hope to give something back to Madeirans for all the things they’ve given me and for the friendships I made while living there.
What do you think is the most unique or valuable aspect of the Madeira Bus app?
I’m focusing on ease of use, which is not as easy as it sounds. I think the two main things are that it’s quite simple to use and at the same time tries to give an overview of all the buses across the entire island. I’m not fully there yet, but that’s the direction I’m going in.
How do you ensure the information in the app stays accurate and up to date?
This is actually one of the hardest problems, especially since I’m doing this in my free time. Right now the government publishes schedules that I work from, but there are mistakes and sometimes I’m not fast enough to catch changes. Bus stops can also be tricky — some are out of service, others are in the wrong locations.
In the next version — hopefully hitting the App Store and Play Store this month — I’ve added a map and a way for people to move, remove, and add bus stops to help get them more accurate. I plan to use those corrections to improve the data over time. I’m also reaching out to the government to see if I can get API access so that bus times are always up to date.
App seems to have a nice overview of stops I like. Being able to see the upcoming stops as well, the app is also very nice and easy to navigate
5 Star Review on Google Play Store
What kind of feedback have you received from users so far?
Honestly, it’s been mixed — some really good feedback and some really poor. I try hard to make it as good as possible and fix issues quickly. I even got a complaint about a bus driver once, which unfortunately is not something I can do anything about.
But in general I’m just happy that people use it. Some get frustrated with things, same as me, and I have limited free time to spend on it. But I really enjoy working on it and it means a lot that people care enough to reach out.
Have there been moments where you realized the app is truly helping people?
From some of the comments and emails, yes — those made me happy. People coming with suggestions and being enthusiastic about the project means a lot to me.
How can people support you and help the project grow?
Download the app and try it out. With the new version, you can use the map to correct bus stops if they’re in the wrong place. Be understanding that I’m one person working on this in my free time and it takes time. Leave an honest review in the Play Store or App Store. And if you like it, tell someone else.
How You Can Support Brian and The Madeira Bus App
Care for supporting Brian even further? If you like the idea behind Madeira Bus, there are several simple ways to help it grow and improve:
Download and use the app regularly – real usage helps uncover issues and improve features
Leave a review on the App Store or Google Play – even a short review makes a big difference
Report bugs or incorrect information – especially wrong bus stops or outdated schedules
Suggest new features or improvements – user ideas often shape the next updates
Use the map tools to correct or add bus stops (in newer versions)
Share the app with friends, locals, and tourists – word of mouth is key for small projects
Be patient and constructive – it’s a one-person project built in spare time
How do you like Madeira Bus? Share your thoughts and support Brian in continuing the development on the app!
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