Time Efficient and Straight Forward Public Transport Navigation
Denny Al Farisi
Product Designer
Figma
Overview
Public transportation in Indonesia has improved, but people still struggle to find bus routes, transit locations, and business hours. To simplify this process, I aim to develop an app that provides centralized information on transportation.
Roles
Research and Product Design
Product Information
Public transportation in Indonesia has improved, but people still struggle to find bus routes, transit locations, and business hours. To simplify this process, I aim to develop an app that provides centralized information on transportation.
Timeline
Q2, 2022 (about 2 weeks) – Research in Banjarbaru (my hometown, a small city) and Jakarta (big city) of Indonesia.
Result
Although it is only a case study, the research and test results provide good feedback and solve real problems when using all types of public transport.
Challenge
Difficult to Find Strong Validation in Small City
In small towns, gathering accurate bus route information can be time-consuming, leading to wasted time and reliance on trial and error.
Not All People has Smartphone
In small cities, most public transport users are elderly people who are not smartphone-savvy. In the end, it is necessary to figure out how to determine an easy way for them to find their destination. — Older people who don’t have smartphones usually ask the drivers/security.
How to Make the App Usable to All Public Transport Options in the City
Provide sequential information to give a good experience and provide guidance from your location to the destination. Also, it provides an experience for new users to understand the path without having to sacrifice time to get on the wrong track.
There is Some Similar App Already
Especially for a big city (Jakarta), many similar apps are already in use and have similar features. So, how can we provide a different experience compared to existing apps? Existing apps include Moovit and Google Maps.
Research and Findings
I interviewed booth online and offline 6+ people with different archetypes (workers in big cities, family passengers, and first-timer passengers) in Indonesia (Banjarbaru and Jakarta). They have at least have used public transportation more than 5 times in the last 2 months. But, in the process of the interview, I got the most interesting one, the person who used to use private transportation and then tried public transportation for the first time. Here, I recapped the insight from all passengers.
The Anxiety of Using Public Transportation as First-Timer Passengers
New users usually feel anxious when trying for the first time due to a lack of clear and reliable information. Some feel embarrassed if they make a mistake, even though all the information can be found at the nearest bus stop or station. This is unique because they will try it together with friends who experienced it, so the trip can be smooth. The uncertainty of the arrival time of the public transportation of course makes them fear losing time.
Confused about Public Transportation Line
Not only in Jakarta which already has several lines of train, but even in small towns where there are still few lines, many people are confused about where they take the bus, which bus stop is close to their house, and can reach the destination they are going to. The unavailability of such information on Google Maps makes it difficult for them to be sure of all that.
Check and Remembering Carefully, If No, You will Take the Wrong Train
The statement that I got from Instagram is as passengers. She said, we need to read and remember carefully (especially when arriving at the station), and after a small discussion, the real problem is when we in the platform already, we can see the same information but “sometimes” it is not the actual information.
The problem happened 2 weeks after I received the statement, I experienced the same way she got when I wanted to get on the train from Northeast to Southeast by myself with no doubt because the information looked like there was no issue then I took the train in platform number 13. But, some people asked the train guards “Which train bounds to Southeast?” and the guard said, “Over there (platform 12)”. Then I asked the guard too it turns out I was waiting on the wrong train even though the information on the board was written the same destination.
Design Exploration
Use Case Exploration and Decision
Guide to the Nearby Bus Stop
Not all passengers know the name and location of the nearest bus stop, it is necessary to integrate Google Maps (build-in map) to provide convenience to be able to find the nearest bus stop.
Search the Destination, not the Bus Stop
Check or remember place name is sometimes troublesome, just focus on your destination and get the schedule ready as soon as you search.
Choose the Fit Transport Option for You
In a big city, choosing the most suitable transportation based on the required preferences is very important. If many options can be displayed, it is helpful to provide a choice that suits the needs.
Sequential Route and Straight Forward Detail Information
No need to check and search for the name of the bus stop first on the website or map of each public transportation provider. Just write down your destination and follow the directions to your final destination. The essential information about our trip, the cost, and the estimated time required without being distracted by irrelevant information. The time calculation was calculated based on the total km of track from station A to B and the average speed.
Get Notify for Timely Travel
Ever almost missed a train or other transportation? Push notifications can provide notifications when the train is about to arrive and has arrived. It can notify users that they need to get ready to go.
Share the Trip Schedule with Friends and Family
Sometimes we are contacted by friends and family to tell us when we will arrive, or a newcomer friend in the big city feels confused with the schedule. Sharing the trip with them will help them to get informed when we arrive, or help them not to get lost. The shared information uses a .png format to make it shareable across chatting platforms.
Validation and Iteration
Make sure the design I decided on truly helps people who are struggling with public transport in Jakarta, or maybe Indonesia using the following prototype. Open Prototype
The Fastest Way is to Know the Exit Gate
Some users say that they are often confused about many exit gates and how to find the nearest exit gate to their destination. It’s important to know that making the trips is efficient in time and energy (especially when rush hour). Then, I added exit gate information, allowing passengers to see the recommended exit gate for them.
Learning Points
Not all of my process was going well, but the following points helped me to learn how to gain real feedback.
The benefit of Interview Different Archetypes of Users
We can get users with many conditions and needs because we can immediately get more precise context than random sampling, where the possibility of getting data is longer.
Prototype → Real App Experience → Strong Validation
If I only asked and described the solution, it would make it difficult for the user to imagine the solution, which resulted in inappropriate feedback and widening the discussion. But, the prototype makes them try directly and can many feedback rather than just speaking about it.