JourneyFix
2021
SKILLS
UX Research, UI Design, Prototyping
This was a group created during my time at Griffith College studying UX & Web Design. The aim of the project was to develop a user-centred application for users of public transport in Ireland.
User research techniques were crucial to gather relevant information, understand final users and to provide solutions to guarantee great results.
The final result was a prototype app called Journey Fix and was designed paper-first with low resolution wireframes and refined into a high fidelity wireframe using Figma.
Original screens
How can we improve the user experience of using public transport?
Problem Statement
Research
This research started based on an existing app called Journey Planner, an application provided by National Transport Authority of Ireland (NTA).
“The TFI Journey Planner is a door-to-door journey planner that provides service information, directions, and time estimates for taking a journey on all licenced public transport providers across Ireland.” (Transport of Ireland, 2021).
According to Playstore, Journey Planner was downloaded more than 100,000 times but with only 2.9 stars rating.
Journey Planner is not the only app provided by NTA, the family extends to other apps such as Leap To-Up and Real time. The need for extra-apps were also considered into the research phase.
User Testing
User testing was conducted with 3 different users with varying levels of digital skills (ages 16, 24, 53).
Each user was asked to plan the same specific trip using Journey Planner.
The main issue observed with all users was an initial difficulty to even start their journeys, taking a little time, some extra clicks and requiring effort from users to solve their tasks.
This difficulty reveals that this app is not intuitive and can make even the most tech savvy user confused, disappointed and frustrated.
Personas
Data Collection
A survey was carried out on Typeform to gather more feedback from people who use public transport in their daily life.
A competitor analysis of similar apps was undertaken to help understand what is currently on the market and offered to users. This exercise enabled us to identify good practices that will inspire and create solutions.
Key Insights
01
The homepage is currently cluttered and is not guiding the users into planning their journey
02
Users have to top up their leap card either in a shop or on another app which adds more steps to planning their journey.
03
Users are often anxious of missing the bus at their stop and also not sure of which stop to get off when they are on their journey.
Solutions
01
Simplify homepage to clearly show how users can create their own journey
02
Integrate leap card top up in the app to minimise steps when creating their journey
03
Add notification options. Users can get notified when their bus is about to arrive. Once on the bus they can set their destination and get notified when to get off.
New Homepage
Leap card integration
Notification reminders
Project Outcome
The new prototype was tested with the original three users and showed signs of improvement.
The overall results were satisfied, users were able to perform tasks effortlessly with no signs of confusing or frustrations.
Testing showed some opportunities to improve usability and minor tweaks were implemented as part of this process.
The interface is minimal and clean to guide the user with fewer clicks and less friction.
JourneyFix differentiates from competitors by offering personalisation features, the user can set an alarm to be reminded of the exact time to head to the bus stop and take the desired bus and it is possible to set a notification to remind the exact moment to get off the bus.