Over 50 million users have now visited the Department for Transport's pioneering travel information and journey planning service, Transport Direct.

For five years the website has provided travellers with a unique guide to virtually all domestic transport on land, sea and air by drawing information from over 40 different sources each week.

It offers users the chance to tailor a journey to their own needs, by combining the content of up to eight different websites in one and plotting their route from door-to-door.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said:

"This website is about allowing the public to find a route that suits them best.

"People can see where to find a GP, make sure they get to their job interview on time, or plan a night out with friends.

"The versatility of Transport Direct is matched only by the scale and precision of its travel information - 96 per cent of users say they'd use it again."

The site, launched in December 2004, now attracts more than 25 million users each year - over eight times as many as it did in its first year.

Transport Direct Chief Executive, Nick Illsley, said:

"It's a great resource for anyone who needs simple directions in hurry, and it helps people plot the quickest route to their destination.

"Transport Direct lets people plan more efficient journeys at times when the transport system is less busy, saving time and allowing for more comfortable trips."

Real time information on road and rail disruption allows travellers to avoid unnecessary delays to their journey while extensive maps show the locations of bus stops and train stations, and also suggest where traffic congestion may occur.