Simplifying commuter experience for Mumbai’s local and metro trains
EasyTransit— a mobile app that aims to make train commuting convenient for users. The app helps the users by recommending them the most optimal route between local and metro journeys, enables them to purchase tickets and passes, and live-track any train. 🙌
Role
Product Designer
Role
Product Designer
Role
Product Designer
The background
Mumbai's local train network, known as the city's lifeline, is fast, economical, and essential for daily commutes. Living in Mumbai and frequently using the trains, I've had my share of missed or boarding a wrong train and met many interesting commuters. The system includes four main lines—Western, Central, Harbour, and Trans-Harbour—serving over 8.5 million people daily. Despite its efficiency, navigating the network's terminus stations can be challenging.
The challenge
While Mumbaikars lead a fast-paced life when it comes to traveling in and around the city, taking a local/metro train journey includes — juggling through various apps, taking multiple decisions and performing a range of tasks.
Diving Deeper
Let’s understand the problem better with an example-
Sejal is at her home in Bandra and wants to meet her friends at a newly opened cafe “Costa coffee” in Dadar. In order to reach this place-
Sejal needs to use Google Maps to determine the location of the cafe. She must then identify which local or metro station is closest to the cafe. Then, she must evaluate the proximity of that train station to her home and check for the closest one.
She has to check the train schedule either on M-indicator app and book the tickets on UTS app. After gathering all this information, she must compare and determine the most practical route for her.
It is challenging for the users to keep track of all the various data points (time, distance, fare) in multiple apps and make a decision. Every time the user is in a new location or has to visit a new location, these problems will repeat. Therefore, it is crucial to consider design solutions to simplify the process.
The users
While Mumbaikars lead a fast-paced life when it comes to traveling in and around the city, taking a local/metro train journey includes — juggling through various apps, taking multiple decisions and performing a range of tasks.
Diving Deeper
Let’s understand the problem better with an example-
Sejal is at her home in Bandra and wants to meet her friends at a newly opened cafe “Costa coffee” in Dadar. In order to reach this place-
Sejal needs to use Google Maps to determine the location of the cafe. She must then identify which local or metro station is closest to the cafe. Then, she must evaluate the proximity of that train station to her home and check for the closest one.
She has to check the train schedule either on M-indicator app and book the tickets on UTS app. After gathering all this information, she must compare and determine the most practical route for her.
It is challenging for the users to keep track of all the various data points (time, distance, fare) in multiple apps and make a decision. Every time the user is in a new location or has to visit a new location, these problems will repeat. Therefore, it is crucial to consider design solutions to simplify the process.