FlixBus & FlixTrain is a service app primarily used to buy bus and train tickets for travel. It’s an app that helps to plan trips and also allows real time tracking of routes. This critique talks about the various aspects of the digital interface of the FlixBus app using Don Norman’s design principles.
Booking Interface
The Booking process, the most important feature of this app that helps users through selecting dates, timings, departure and arrival locations and other travel options. The interface works with a familiar conceptual model resembling standard booking flows from other travel booking apps and websites. This allows users to rely on knowledge in the world, reducing cognitive load.
However, the dropdown menu for selecting the location fails to provide immediate feedback which results in lack of good discoverability. The search bar does not immediately suggest nearby locations as the user is typing, which can result in an error if the user is unsure of the exact spelling of a city. To bridge this gulf of execution, the app should integrate auto-suggestions and real-time validation for locations. Predictive text can act as signifiers that would increase usability and minimize errors.
Selecting Mode of Transport
After selecting the departure and arrival location of the travel users then have an option to select the mode of transport, train or a bus using a toggle in the nav bar. This feature increases the efficiency by allowing users to compare options easily, making the booking process more intuitive.
However, the design of this selection interface has discoverability issues. The toggle offers two choices: “Bus & Train” and “Train,” which might confuse users. An easier approach would be to separate the options distinctly, making sure that users can easily differentiate between the two modes of transport.
Additionally, while FlixBus has an extensive bus network across the United States, its train service, FlixTrain, is currently available only in selected European countries such as Germany and Sweden. However, this information is not communicated explicitly within the app, potentially leading to user frustration. The lack of clear signifiers about FlixTrain’s availability creates a gulf of execution. To improve usability, the app could incorporate constraints with clear signifiers such as a brief note of a tooltip that indicates the limitations of train service according to the region. This would also bring more consistency in the app across all the regions.
Seat Selection
The FlixBus app allows users to select the desired seat with a visual representation of the bus layout. This provides good natural mapping, as users can see available and occupied seats clearly. The seat numbers also act as an additional feedback enhancing discoverability.
However, once a seat is selected, users cannot easily change it without restarting the booking process. This might lead to frustration as it forces users into unnecessary additional actions. An easy fix would be to allow users to make changes in their selection within the same screen before finalizing the booking with payment, but providing the seat number that will act as signifier, improving user freedom and error prevention.
Conclusion
While the FlixBus app is overall easy to use, some design issues can make booking less efficient. It falls short in feedback, discoverability, and user control. Working on these elements with better signifiers, predictive text, and more flexible interactions would make the app more intuitive and user-friendly for all travelers.