Train
Ticketing App
Industry
Transportation
Service
Mobile app development
Technologies
Java, NFC etc
Client location
UK
Period of collaboration
2022-2023
Timeline
6 months
BUSINESS NEED
Market Domination
The client wanted to expand their reach and become a major player in the train travel market.
Fast Turnaround
Due to government obligations, they needed the app upgrade completed in up to 7 months.
Wider Audience
They aimed to attract new customers by offering online ticket purchases and mobile ticketing services.
Cost-Effective Development
They required the upgrade without increasing technical debt (accumulated development issues).
Requirements
The app should function as both an online ticket shop and a ticket itself.
The app should connect with a material NFC card, sending up to 5 tickets.
The app should allow customers to buy tickets from anywhere in the app, such as saved routes or history.
The app should display and allow ticket purchases from other train providers.
The app should allow storing an unlimited number of QR tickets.
How can new features help your app gain more users and outperform
competitors? Learn in a free discovery session
How can new features help your app gain more users and outperform
competitors? Learn in a free discovery session
competitors? Learn in a free discovery session
Project description
Multi-function App
The upgraded app acts as an online ticket store and as a mobile ticket for users
NFC Integration
Users can buy and store up to 5 tickets on a physical NFC card
Convenient Purchases
Users can buy tickets anywhere within the app, including saved routes and history, or while planning a trip
Multi-Provider Integration
The app displays and allows ticket purchases from other train companies, creating a one-stop shop for train travel
Unlimited Storage
Users can store an unlimited number of QR code tickets in the app.
Key features
tickets purchase
Users can buy tickets directly in the app.
That gives them the comfort of buying tickets anytime and anywhere with a WiFi connection. And there is no limit to how many tickets a person can get and store.
The users can buy the tickets anywhere on the app:
This makes the process simple and faster.
To use a ticket, users show a created QR code to the train controller after payment. A QR code ticket, stored in the app, is one of two options that online purchasing provides. What is the other one?
The users can buy the tickets anywhere on the app:
- saved routes, favorite places;
- transaction history;
- train schedule, or while planning a new journey.
This makes the process simple and faster.
To use a ticket, users show a created QR code to the train controller after payment. A QR code ticket, stored in the app, is one of two options that online purchasing provides. What is the other one?
Tickets upload to the NFC cards
If the person buys more than one ticket for future journeys, they could send up to five on the portable NFC card.
To do that, users should hold their phones close to the card for ticket upload.
Tickets for the trip will be in hand, with no need for an Internet connection or a charged phone with the app and QR tickets.
To use a ticket, users should hold their NFC card on the card reader at the train station.
To do that, users should hold their phones close to the card for ticket upload.
Tickets for the trip will be in hand, with no need for an Internet connection or a charged phone with the app and QR tickets.
To use a ticket, users should hold their NFC card on the card reader at the train station.
Challenges to overcome
01
Inner flow complexity of the
upgraded features
Integrating something new inside an existing app is problematic for mobile app development.
Developers discovered a unique approach to installing a flow of new features. These were about accessible ticket purchasing.
Imagine the flow is an electric wire that allows the light to switch on in each room. This electric wire lets you buy a ticket in any room in a house.
Setting up a flow in an already-built app architecture was like supplying electricity within the finished walls of the house — a tough task.
They succeeded by implementing the flow manually. They made it independent and flexible to work throughout already-working processes. They did it without breaking the «walls» (architecture) of the app.
The flow consisted of approximately 20 screens with complicated logic and NFC integrations.
Developers discovered a unique approach to installing a flow of new features. These were about accessible ticket purchasing.
Imagine the flow is an electric wire that allows the light to switch on in each room. This electric wire lets you buy a ticket in any room in a house.
Setting up a flow in an already-built app architecture was like supplying electricity within the finished walls of the house — a tough task.
They succeeded by implementing the flow manually. They made it independent and flexible to work throughout already-working processes. They did it without breaking the «walls» (architecture) of the app.
The flow consisted of approximately 20 screens with complicated logic and NFC integrations.
02
NFC and app miscommunication
Establishing the connection between the NFC SDK and the app was problematic.
First, a twisted row of implementing new features makes it more complicated.
Second, NFC SDK manufacturer support was no help with their technology.
But the development team did not stop there. They neither tried to transfer that responsibility to the client nor condemned confused NFC support.
Their strong experience and staunch communication with support led them to create a solution that worked despite the insufficient circumstances.
Through trial and error, they crafted a new solution for the specific issue. They reached a successful SDK & app connection.
First, a twisted row of implementing new features makes it more complicated.
Second, NFC SDK manufacturer support was no help with their technology.
But the development team did not stop there. They neither tried to transfer that responsibility to the client nor condemned confused NFC support.
Their strong experience and staunch communication with support led them to create a solution that worked despite the insufficient circumstances.
Through trial and error, they crafted a new solution for the specific issue. They reached a successful SDK & app connection.
Upgrading an existing app?
This is a challenge we know how to handle
This is a challenge we know how to handle
Results
Purchases from Anytime, Anywhere
Users can buy tickets anytime with WiFi, eliminating dependence on ticket machines.
Easy Ticket Management
All tickets are accessible within a single app, simplifying travel organization.
Offline Accessibility
Users can store up to 5 tickets on an NFC card for offline use, eliminating reliance on the internet or a charged phone.
Streamlined Journey Planning
Users can build their journeys and get all the required tickets within the app.
Comprehensive Information
The app provides access to train schedules, route information, and journey updates.
Project Success
Delivered on Time
The developers delivered the project within 6 months, exceeding the client’s time constraint
Technical Expertise
Despite challenges, the team successfully implemented NFC integration and ensured smooth operation
Client Satisfaction
The client received a solution that met their needs and helped them achieve their goals
Does what you are going through now sound like this story?
Find out about free app updates that fit your needs
Find out about free app updates that fit your needs
Does what you are going through now sound like this story?
Find out about free app updates that fit your needs
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