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The VBB Telegram Bot can automatically send you daily journey notifications at a scheduled time. This feature is perfect for regular commutes, ensuring you always know when to leave home to arrive at work on time.

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How notifications work

The notification system works by:
  1. Checking your configured check time every day
  2. Planning journeys from your home to your destination address
  3. Calculating when you need to leave to arrive by your arrival time
  4. Automatically sending you the journey options in Telegram
Notifications use your saved home and destination addresses along with all your configured preferences (walking speed, transport types, etc.).

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Notification timing

You configure two key times for the notification system:

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Check time

The check time is when the bot sends you the journey notification each day. This should be set to a time when you’re typically getting ready to leave for work. Example: If you usually leave home around 7:30 AM, set your check time to 7:00 AM to receive journey options with enough time to prepare.

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Arrival time

The arrival time is when you need to arrive at your destination. The bot plans journeys backwards from this time to show you when to depart. Example: If you need to be at work by 9:00 AM, set your arrival time to 9:00 AM. The bot will show journeys that arrive by this time.
Set your arrival time a few minutes before you actually need to arrive to build in a buffer for unexpected delays.

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Configuring notification times

1

Open settings

Navigate to the settings menu from the main menu.
2

Change check time

Select “Change check time” and enter the time in 24-hour format (HH:MM).Example: 07:00 for 7:00 AM
3

Change arrival time

Select “Change arrival time” and enter your desired arrival time in 24-hour format.Example: 09:00 for 9:00 AM
4

Verify settings

Return to the settings overview to confirm your times are correctly configured.

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Notification behavior

Once configured, the notification system:
  • Runs continuously in the background
  • Checks all registered users every 15 seconds
  • Sends notifications when the current time matches a user’s check time
  • Only sends one notification per day (uses is_notified flag)
  • Resets notification flags daily to allow the next day’s notification
Notifications are sent once per day at your check time. If you miss the notification, you won’t receive another until the next day at the same time.

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Notification content

When you receive a notification, it includes:
  • Multiple journey options (based on your max_journeys setting)
  • Full journey details for each option:
    • Departure time from home
    • Arrival time at destination
    • Total duration
    • Number of transfers
    • All transport legs with line numbers and directions
    • Platform information
    • Walking segments
  • Navigation buttons to browse through different journey options
The notification message is interactive - you can navigate through different journey options using the Previous/Next buttons directly in the message.

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Notification schedule examples

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Early morning commute

  • Check time: 06:30
  • Arrival time: 08:00
  • Result: Receive journey options at 6:30 AM to arrive at work by 8:00 AM

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Flexible morning schedule

  • Check time: 08:00
  • Arrival time: 09:30
  • Result: Receive journey options at 8:00 AM to arrive by 9:30 AM

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Afternoon shift

  • Check time: 13:00
  • Arrival time: 15:00
  • Result: Receive journey options at 1:00 PM to arrive by 3:00 PM

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Disabling notifications

Currently, there’s no direct toggle to disable notifications. However, you can effectively disable them by:
  • Setting your check time to a time when you won’t need the information (e.g., 23:59)
  • Or leaving the notification unread - the system tracks sent notifications
If you’re on vacation or don’t need notifications temporarily, consider setting the check time far in the future. You can easily change it back when needed.

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Notification reliability

The notification system is designed to be reliable:
  • Runs continuously as a background process
  • Checks every 15 seconds to ensure timely delivery
  • Uses Berlin timezone (Europe/Berlin) for all time comparisons
  • Prevents duplicate notifications with the is_notified flag
  • Automatically resets for the next day
Notifications are sent based on the minute precision. For example, if your check time is 07:00, you’ll receive the notification sometime during the 07:00-07:01 minute window.

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Troubleshooting

Check that:
  • Your check time and arrival time are correctly configured in settings
  • The bot has permission to send you messages in Telegram
  • Your home and destination addresses are properly saved
  • You haven’t already received today’s notification (only one per day)
Verify that:
  • Your arrival time is set correctly
  • Your timezone preferences are correct (system uses Berlin time)
  • Your home and destination addresses are accurate
Adjust your max_journeys setting in preferences to control how many journey options appear in the notification.

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Best practices

Set your check time 30-45 minutes before you typically need to leave. This gives you time to review options, get ready, and handle any unexpected delays.
Set your arrival time 5-10 minutes before you actually need to be there to account for walking time from the final stop to your destination building.
Review your notification settings weekly, especially if your schedule changes seasonally or you adjust your commute routine.

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