WEBTTD FIELD GUIDE
Money, loans, and making a route pay
A good transport service connects real demand to a destination—and earns more over time than it costs to operate.
Start with a budget
New companies currently start with €15,000 by default. A server may configure a different amount. Construction and vehicle purchases use company cash; running vehicles also have ongoing costs. Check the construction preview and vehicle catalog before you commit, and keep some cash available for operating the service.
The company can also borrow from the bank. Current defaults allow a loan of up to €500,000, in €10,000 steps. Open Company finances to see cash and loan balance; Borrow increases both your cash and your debt, while Repay uses company cash to reduce the debt. The current game does not charge periodic loan interest or automatically repay the principal. These rules may change as WebTTD develops, so use the in-game finance information as the current source.
Borrow only when the investment has a clear purpose. A larger loan gives you more to spend, but it does not make an unprofitable route profitable.
Find cargo that needs a ride
Towns produce passengers. Industries produce goods such as coal, oil, or other products, and different industries accept different cargo. A station attracts cargo only when it is close enough to the source and compatible with the cargo; its capacity and rating also matter.
Before building, check both ends:
- Find a town or industry that produces something you can carry.
- Find a destination that accepts that passenger or cargo type.
- Place compatible stops close enough to serve each end.
- Buy a vehicle that can carry the cargo and create a route between the stops.
- Check the station windows for waiting cargo and use the vehicle and company finance windows to monitor results.
Delivery is the important part: a vehicle earns transport income when it completes a delivery, not just because it is moving. An empty vehicle can still incur running costs. Low demand, long detours, or expensive construction can make a service lose money, so start with a short route and improve it based on what you observe.
Where money goes
| Cost or income | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Roads, rail, stops, stations, depots, and terrain work | Usually paid when built; the preview shows the estimated construction cost. |
| Vehicle purchase | Paid when the vehicle or train consist is bought. Cargo capacity and compatibility depend on the selected model and wagons. |
| Vehicle running costs | Continue while the service operates; compare them with delivered-cargo revenue. |
| Cargo delivery | Revenue is credited when cargo reaches its destination. Cargo type, trip, and game rules affect the amount. |
| Loan | Adds spendable cash and an equal liability; repay manually from company cash. |
Grow by reusing what works
You do not need to build a huge network all at once. Connect a useful pair of places, see whether the service is carrying cargo, and expand when the finances support it. Reuse existing infrastructure when access allows; building on another company’s network may require an agreed access or rental arrangement.