It was annoying to see the bus leaving the station when the app said it would arrive in 3 minutes. I believe this is frustrating for other users as well. So, I decided to give the KMB app a little UI & UX revamp during my free time.
ISSUE 01
Problem
The navigation bar contains 14 buttons in a horizontal scroll, leading to low usability and user confusion.
Solution
I conducted a card sorting activity to organize the functions across the app, aiming to include only essential features on the navigation bar for improved information architecture and user experience.
The updated navigation bar now contains:
Saved route
Search
Club member
Shuttle bus
The first two buttons cater to day-to-day user needs, allowing users to search, save, and view the next bus. The last two buttons cater to business needs by promoting club member benefits and other business services. The next-bus indicator also follows Jacob's Law by mimicking a real-world bus stop design.
ISSUE 02
Problem
The letter selection contains 13 options in a vertical scroll, which results in a long and unenjoyable experience, especially when users have to select letters near the end. Each letter also does not have a fixed location, requiring users to consistently scan for the letter.
Solution
I separated the keyboard into a numeric keyboard and an alphabet keyboard. The alphabet keyboard has a fixed location for each letter, so users don't have to search for them. The unavailable options are also greyed out for a better user experience.
ISSUE 03
Problem
The route search result does not provide sufficient information for the user to select the best option.
Solution
Saved locations and search history are displayed for quick search. The route options are also displayed with a map view to help users understand the differences in routes. Key information is highlighted for easier comparison.
ISSUE 04
Problem
The majority of 1-star reviews on the Apple Store are related to inaccurate bus arrival times.
Solution
The app now shows the real-time bus location by utilizing the GPS already installed in the buses. This new feature reduces the uncertainty of waiting by providing immediate feedback to the user.
