A Co-design Study of Digital Service Ideas in the Bus Context

Abstract

To enhance the desirability of public transportation, it is important to design for positive travel experience. The context of bus transportation has broad potential for utilization of novel, supplementary digital services beyond travel information. The aim of our research was to study bus passengers' needs and expectations for future digital services and to develop initial service concept ideas through co-design. To this end, three Idea generating workshops with 24 participants were arranged. Our findings reveal six service themes that can be used as a basis of designing future digital traveling services: 1) Information at a glance while traveling, 2) Entertainment and entertaining activities, 3) Services that support social interaction, 4) Multiple channels to provide travel information, 5) Extra services for better travel experience, and 6) Services that people already expect to have. The themes are discussed and further elaborated in this paper.

E-Scooter Sustainability – A Clash of Needs, Perspectives, and Experiences

“…They observed riders instantaneously changing from riding in the bike lanes, to positioning themselves in the middle of the road 'like a car' and dismounting to jump red lights while positioning themselves as pedestrians in zebra crossings. Hildén et al highlight the value of engaging with public transport users to identify their travel needs [28]. Prior work on sustainability also points to the importance of studying not solely the device or product, but instead focus on the perspectives of both user and non-users within the community [39].…”

Communicating User Insights with Travel Mindsets and Experience Personas in Intra-city Bus Context

“…During the past three years, we have studied intra-city bus travel experience by conducting several qualitative studies that involve bus passengers in Finland. These studies include a preliminary interview study [16], collaborative ideation workshops by which we developed bus-specific design tool "Context Cards" [17], and this diary and interview study that was conducted in Helsinki and Tampere. Our aim has been to form holistic understanding of intra-city bus passengers' travel experience and communicate our study findings further to designers and developers working in the public transportation context.…”

“…Research [e.g. 2,8,17] shows that there is a need for additional services beyond travel information in the bus context. Existing studies focus on travel behavior [34], trip satisfaction [e.g.…”