[talk-au] Bus, tram and train stop data license change

[Andy Botting]

> Very disappointing... I was browsing the http://data.vic.gov.au
> website yesterday and noticed that Metlink and the Department of
> Transport  had released two datasets: the TransNET database of routes,
> stops and timetables, and a file of bus, tram and train stops. The
> TransNET file was under the DoT's restrictive license: only to be used
> for the 'App My State' competition, no commercial use, etc., however I
> was delighted to see that the stop information including very accurate
> lat/long coordinates was released under a CC - Attribution 2.5
> Australia license! I spent much of the day preparing to import it and
> producing a wiki page to document the process and data...
>
> However, I returned to the site
> (http://data.vic.gov.au/raw_data/bus-tram-and-train-stops/123) today
> to find the license has been changed to the restrictive TransNET
> license!

I've been looking at importing tram stop information for some time,
and I've been in contact with Yarra Trams, Metlink and more recently,
the Dept. of Transport.

I had a call two weeks ago from a woman at the Dept. of Transport
basically explaining to me the license restrictions they have on their
data, and if I could agree to their restrictions, I could use the
data. She also said that the Dept. of Transport were looking at
releasing data under a CC license, but it was going to be a long
process, and we might see results by the end of the year!

A friend of mine pointed out this data set, telling me it was CC. I
didn't believe him at first, until I had a look. I immediately emailed
the Dept. of Transport with an email basically saying WTF? and I had
another call a few days later saying it was a MASSIVE stuff-up on the
Vic Govt part.. and they pulled that license off.

So I thought this story might be of some interest to this list :)

Also, I can call back the Dept. of Transport if anyone has any
questions about this data. I had a feeling that the CC license was
irrevocable, but hadn't checked myself. Do you think it's worth
pressing them about it?