I tackled the frustrating issue of unreliable bus information for commuters in Kochi, Kerala.  Private buses dominate the transport system, and existing solutions offered inaccurate or nonexistent real-time data. My goal was to create a user-friendly app that provides accurate bus locations, arrival times (ETAs), and crowd levels, empowering commuters to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

Kochi's bus commuters face daily struggles with unpredictable bus schedules and a lack of real-time information.  This leads to wasted time, missed appointments, and overall frustration.  Existing solutions, when available, are often inaccurate and unreliable, exacerbating the problem. This lack of reliable information creates a significant inconvenience for commuters, particularly during peak hours.

Primary Objective: Design a mobile application that delivers accurate, real-time bus information (locations, ETAs, and crowd levels).


I conducted user research through intercept interviews at key bus stops (Vyttila, Edappally, Infopark), ride-alongs during peak hours, and an audit of existing ETA sources. This mixed-methods approach provided valuable insights into user needs, pain points, and current behaviors.

Key findings revealed a strong desire for reliable real-time information, a preference for simple and intuitive interfaces, and a significant concern about crowding on buses.  Commuters expressed frustration with the lack of consistent and accurate information, leading to uncertainty and wasted time.

The design process involved user journey maps, empathy maps, and user flows to visualize the user experience.  I explored several design concepts, focusing on a streamlined Plan → Choose → Live Status flow.  This approach emphasized simplicity and efficiency, allowing users to quickly find and select a bus.

I created low-fidelity wireframes to outline the basic structure and functionality of the app.  These were iteratively refined based on feedback from initial user testing.  Key design decisions focused on clear visual hierarchy, intuitive navigation, and easily accessible information.

High-fidelity prototypes were developed in Figma, incorporating visual elements like color schemes, typography, and icons.  These prototypes were rigorously tested with target users to identify usability issues and areas for improvement.

User testing involved observing users interacting with the prototypes and gathering feedback on their experience.  This iterative process led to significant design refinements, including improvements to map contrast, price alignment, headway hints, and call-to-action clarity.  The focus was on creating a one-handed, intuitive experience suitable for users on the move.

A major challenge was the inconsistent and often missing live data from private bus operators.  I addressed this by considering a driver side app that would upload gps data from the drivers mobile device and adding explicit state badges (live/delayed/no data) to clearly communicate data quality to users.

Usability issues for users on the move were also encountered.  This was solved by redesigning the interface for one-handed use, increasing tap target sizes, and ensuring a clear primary call-to-action on each screen.  The focus was on context-aware design that prioritized ease of use in real-world scenarios.

This project reinforced the importance of user-centered design, iterative prototyping, and testing in real-world conditions.  I learned the value of designing for uncertainty, particularly when dealing with unreliable data sources.  The emphasis on field testing early in the process was critical in addressing usability issues specific to the context of use.

The Kochi Bus Tracker app has improved the commute experience for users by providing reliable real-time information and a user-friendly interface.  Future plans include expanding the app's coverage to other cities in Kerala and integrating with additional transportation options.

Improving the public bus experience in Kochi through real-time tracking and efficient route planning.

BusDaily: Real-time bus tracking for bus transportation

Thomas Mathew