Kavuri | Designer. Developer.

Product Name

TrainTime iOS App

Appstore https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mta-traintime/id1104885987

Client & Location

Metropolitan Transportation Authority - Newyork City

Project Description

TrainTime App revolutionizes commuting by providing real-time train schedules, service updates, and trip planning features for New York's MTA trains. With user-friendly interfaces and accurate information, it enhances the passenger experience, ensuring timely arrivals and departures. TrainTime App is a popular tool for navigating the city's complex transit system efficiently and conveniently.

What I Contributed: New Ideas and Features Implemented

Go mode

Bookmarks

Notifications

Active Trip

The Problem

The current search results display an overwhelming list of trains with an infinite scroll, significantly slowing the app's performance. Identifying a user's active trip to view journey details has proven difficult, as there is no clear visual distinction between past and future scheduled trains. This lack of clarity makes it challenging for regular commuters to efficiently find and book their routine train services in the extensive list of options.

My Approach

These user experience pain points must be addressed to streamline the app's functionality and better meet the needs of TrainTime's core commuter audience. Optimizing the search results display, enhancing trip tracking capabilities, and introducing visual cues to differentiate past, present, and future trains will be crucial to improving the overall usability and value of the application.

Research

This was my first task at MTA. Unfamiliar with the app and transport industry, I started with secondary research to understand market trends and the current app version. I then led brainstorming and sketching sessions with business owners and developers to explore the underlying technology and identify performance improvement opportunities. Additionally, I analyzed user comments, feedback, and reviews to gain insight into customer needs and pain points.

Roles & Responsibilites

As a UX mobile app designer, my roles and responsibilities include creating intuitive user interfaces, conducting user research, prototyping designs, collaborating with developers, and testing usability. Also, stay updated on current design trends, ensure a seamless user experience, and advocate for user-centered design principles throughout the app development process.
Work closely with product managers, software developers, and leadership to communicate the UI/UX vision, discuss trade-offs, and make informed decisions.

Tools

Figma, Monday.com, Mural,

Initial Solution

#1

To address the issues with the search results and user experience, I introduced a date filter bar with a bookmark tab, as well as a visual "Now" and "Date" separator line based on the current time. This helps provide users with a clearer distinction between past, present, and future train schedules.

#2

Additionally, as soon as a ticket is scanned at the station, we add a visual highlight to the trip card, making it easier for users to identify their active journey.

#3

Furthermore, when the train and user locations match, we can confidently determine that the user is on board and provide push notifications for upcoming stations.

Refined Solution

A new feature that provides users with step-by-step navigation instructions to guide them from one platform to the next during their transfers, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey.

These thoughtful new features and ideas you delivered have significantly improved the app's usability, responsiveness, and overall user experience, empowering commuters with real-time information and a seamless travel experience.

Deliverables

These enhancements have significantly improved the app's usability and responsiveness, empowering commuters with real-time information and a seamless travel experience. Interactive prototypes let stakeholders experience product functionality, navigation, and flow before full development.