Context — Improving Public Transportation Experience
Public transportation in La Plata faced challenges with unpredictable schedules, lack of real-time information, and difficulty in route planning for residents and visitors.
The Citybus system aimed to modernize the public transportation experience by providing accurate, real-time information that would help users plan their journeys more effectively.
My role focused on understanding the commuting patterns and information needs of different user groups, from daily commuters to occasional visitors.
I never know if the bus is coming in 5 minutes or 25 minutes.
— Daily commuter
The Problem — Unpredictable Transportation
Users lacked reliable information about bus schedules, real-time locations, and route planning, leading to uncertainty and inefficient travel planning.
Research & Discovery
We interviewed commuters, transportation staff, and city planners to understand the current pain points and information needs.
Commuters Interviewed
30 participants
Bus Routes Analyzed
25+ routes
Use Cases Identified
15+ scenarios
Key Findings
Insights that shaped the transportation system
Real-time Information Need
Users wanted to know exactly when buses would arrive, not just scheduled times.
Route Planning Complexity
Users needed help finding the best routes, especially for unfamiliar destinations.
Mobile Accessibility
Users primarily accessed transportation information on mobile devices while on the go.
Solution Strategy
The solution focused on providing real-time bus tracking, intuitive route planning, and mobile-optimized interface for on-the-go access.
Design Solution
Key features and transportation experience
Real-time Bus Tracking
Live bus locations and arrival times based on GPS tracking and real-time updates.
Intuitive Route Planning
Point-to-point route suggestions with multiple options and estimated travel times.
Mobile-first Design
Optimized interface for mobile devices with quick access to essential information.
Service Alerts
Real-time notifications about delays, route changes, and service disruptions.
Results & Impact
The Citybus system significantly improved the public transportation experience:
User Satisfaction
85% positive
App Usage
2000+ daily users
Wait Time Reduction
40% decrease
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Real-time information transforms user confidence in public transportation systems.
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Mobile-first design is essential for transportation applications used on the go.
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Route planning must account for both familiar and unfamiliar destinations.