UX Design · OneBusAway · Seattle Transit
OneBusAway —
Transit Reminder Feature
Developed a reminder feature and redesigned UI elements that enhance the commuter experience for Seattle transit riders. OneBusAway is the region's most-used public transit app.
The Problem
Commuters needed to know when to leave, not just when the bus arrives.
OneBusAway showed real-time bus arrival data, but users still had to constantly check the app and do mental math: "If the bus arrives in 8 minutes and I need 5 minutes to walk, I need to leave in 3 minutes." This cognitive load caused people to miss buses or leave too early.
User pain
The constant refresh problem
Users refreshed the app every 60–90 seconds while waiting or getting ready. They needed the app to push information to them, not require constant pulling.
Opportunity
Proactive notification system
A contextual reminder system that could alert users when to start walking based on their saved routes and real-time arrival data.
Design
Reminder system & UI redesign
Designed a one-tap reminder system that let users set "alert me when Bus 49 is X minutes away" — removing the need to constantly monitor the app. Paired with a visual refresh of key UI elements for better scannability at a glance.
- One-tap reminders from the route card — no settings digging required
- Distance-aware alerts — "leaving in 3 min" calculated from walk time preference
- Visual hierarchy redesign — route number, direction, and ETA made instantly scannable
- Reduced cognitive load — information pushed at the right moment, not demanded continuously