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What does EFA offer?

  • Individual connections (Timetable information)  
    EFA not only uses the timetables of the VRR, but also uses the timetable data of nearly all traffic groups and many transport operators in Germany, as well as the Deutschen Bahn AG. Therefore, Germany-wide information is possible, taking care of almost all needs.
    Through different settings (options) the connecting search can be adapted to your individual needs.  For example, you will be able to determine how often you want to transfer maximally or with which means of transport you want to travel.
    With the input of the origin and destination you are supported in different way. Instead of stop names you can also enter addresses, and EFA will pick out the next stop for you. Additionally, there is a search tree for important points in the largest German cities.  Because the correct way of writing a stop name or an address is often unknown, EFA helps you with a phonetic search. This means that you only need to enter a similarly sounding name and EFA will replace it by the correct one.
  • Departure boards ("Stop Schedule")
    For all stops of the information area, EFA shows a list of the operating lines. From this list, lines can be selected and for any date the next departure times (approx. 30-45 times) will be indicated.

Details for the use of the inquiry forms


Filling out the form for the timetable information

By selecting "Timetable Information" in the left part of this window, you receive an inquiry form. For simple information it is enough if the origin, destination and time are indicated. The remaining fields are filled with default values, which are sufficient for most cases.

1. First section: Starting point
  • In the first section, the starting point must be entered. Into the City/Place field, please enter the name of the city or the municipality from where the travel will begin. Here the local abbreviation is often enough (country code plate). 
  • In the second field, you can determine whether the third field contains a stop name, an address, or a point of interest. Addresses consist of a street name and a house number separated by a blank. 

2. Second section: Destination point
  • According to the same pattern, the destination point must be entered in the second section.
    When point of interest has been selected in the section for the starting and/or destination point, then when the form is sent you will enter the search tree. The search tree begins with a list of important points (e.g. authorities, restaurants, hotels and pensions, etc.). Each further selection in this list narrows down the choices until finally the desired important point is selected. 

3. Third section: Time
  • In the third section, you specify whether the resulting travel recommendations should come before or after the entered time (arrival/departure time). Also in this section the hour and minute, as well as day, month and year can be entered. In each case, these fields contain two numbers, which can be either deleted and again entered or overwritten (mark the numbers with the mouse). They are initialised with the current time and date. 

4. Fourth section: Interchanges

  • In the top section of the second column, the number and time of the interchanges can be set. In the first field the number of interchanges can be set to: no transfers (without), once (1x), twice (2x) or no limit. The speed affects the amount of time that is available for transfers.
    Example: With much or bulky luggage, one needs more time for transferring. In order to get more time than is normally available, one enters slow. On the other hand, particularly speedy travellers can shorten the time by entering fast. 

5. Fifth section: Means of Transport

  • The applicable means of transport can also be set in the bottom section of the second column. There are three choices:
        - all lines
        - all lines without ICE
        - only transport authority lines 
  • The first two variants speak for themselves. In the third variant no connections with Intercity, Intercity Express, Interregio or express trains are possible (additional charge).
    If for certain reasons, one or several means of transports can or shall not be used, the Included means of transport becomes interesting. It offers a selection of all means of transport which are applicable. The desired means of transport should be selected.


Filling out the form for the stop timetable
 
Except for the line selection, which appears after clear indication of a stop (or address) has been sent, all fields are identical in content and behaviour to those of the timetable information.
In the line selection one or more lines for which a stop timetable should be generated can be selected.
Note: to mark several entries under MS Windows, the "Ctrl"-key must be held and then the additional lines must be clicked. 

 


Sending the form  

If all inputs are filled out, the inquiry can be send by clicking the "Submit" button. If all data are complete and clear, information with four journeys appears. If one or more data is unclear or wrong, the form is shown again with a message line in the head area in red. In the message is a direct reference to the fields that need to be corrected. Note: the button "Reset" deletes all fields and an empty form is shown. If you do not want to delete everything, use the browser's "back" button and correct your input. 
 


Navigation within and from the answer page
 
At the top of the answer page are the most important data of the inquiry.  This is followed by an overview of the four possible journeys found and finally the four journeys in the detail. Because more complex journeys often need more than one page for displaying all the results, the details of a journey can be easily reached by simply clicking on the link at the beginning of the respective line in journey summary (e.g. 3. Journey).  Then the details of the chosen journey moves into the visible window area. Additionally, different possibilities to continue are offered:

  • Reset
    A new inquiry form is loaded. 
  • Return Journey
    A new form is loaded and the starting and destination points have been swapped.
  • Earlier
    The preceding possible journeys are computed.
  • Later  
    The following possible journeys are computed.

Note:
Even if some Internet browsers do not transform the mouse pointer into a hand when positioned over the earlier and later buttons, the buttons do not lose their magic! Thus, simply click.

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