The journey planner is crucial to people in Yorkshire as it provides them with reliable, real-time information and efficient route options, ensuring smoother and stress-free daily commutes. Midlands Online is proud to have been given the task of redesigning the Travel South Yorkshire Journey Planner, a project that brought about substantial improvements in accessibility, usability, and real-time data. Our dedicated team of Product Owners, Front-end and Back-end developers, and QA testers collaborated to create a product that truly enhances the daily lives of Yorkshire’s commuters.
Live Departures Enhancements
As part of the overhaul, we focused on upgrading the Live Departures tool, bringing a host of new and features to commuters. Here’s a glimpse into our journey:
- Live Bus Tracking on a Map: Midlands Online introduced real-time bus tracking on a map, revolutionising how commuters plan their journeys. Gone are the days of anxious waits at bus stops. Now, users can track the nearest bus to their location and selected bus stop, ensuring they always know where their bus is and when it will arrive.
- Real-Time GPS Updates: We harness GPS tracking systems fitted to buses across Yorkshire to provide commuters with real-time departure information. These GPS systems continuously track buses along their routes, guaranteeing that users receive accurate, up-to-the-minute bus arrival information.
User-Centric Approach
Midlands Online adopted a user-centric approach to significantly improve the overall journey planning experience. This transformation included streamlining the route planning process, where commuters now simply input their starting point to access a variety of transportation options, including buses, trams, and trains, making it easy to choose the most convenient option. Additionally, our redesigned planner enables users to customise preferences, such as their preferred mode of transport, ensuring that journey options are tailored to each individual’s specific needs. To further enhance the User Experience, we introduced real-time alerts, providing commuters with up-to-the-minute information on journey disruptions or delays, allowing them to make alternative arrangements as needed.
Accessible By Default
Making the journey planner fully accessible, regardless of user ability or device type offers a host of benefits. It promotes inclusivity and equal access to transportation resources while ensuring compliance with accessibility regulations. This enhances the User Experience, boosts the service provider’s reputation, and fosters customer loyalty. Additionally, it has positive social impacts, economic benefits, and ensures long-term sustainability by accommodating assistive technology.
Project Summary
The transformation of the South Yorkshire Journey Planner by Midlands Online is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the lives of commuters across Yorkshire. With live bus tracking on a map, real-time GPS updates, and a user-friendly interface, this tool is poised to redefine the commuting experience for those travelling throughout Yorkshire.
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