Ecolines — app development for one of the largest coach operators in Europe

The client approached us with a request to update the Ecolines and Autolux applications. The apps had outdated UIs and contained significant technical debt on the mobile development side. Due to the use of outdated technologies, users reported a large number of existing bugs. For example, many users were unable to purchase a ticket due to poor navigation and unintuitive design — critical issues for a coach booking app used daily by travelers.

The main goal of the project is to completely redesign and develop two cross-platform applications from scratch for the existing coach operator, using Dart and Flutter. Our task was to create a modern, efficient, and user-friendly coach operator app while maintaining brand consistency.

Since we had the task to update the applications, firstly we needed to understand all the functionality with which we will work. For this, our designer developed a Functional Map of the application, where he depicted all the main flows and sections. Then this map was agreed upon with the clients and the designer was able to start working on the UI/UX.

We already worked with an existing backend part provided to us by clients. Therefore, from the side of the mobile developer, the task was to research the existing backend part and compile the API documentation. This backend served as the foundation for the bus operator software, ensuring seamless data synchronization across the platform.

The most interesting thing in this case is that the design and development were carried out simultaneously, in two parallel processes. After approval of one part of the screens, the developer took them to work, while the designer began the next part.

We used the customer’s ready-made design system, adapting it to the needs of developing mobile apps for 2 systems: iOS and Android.

The variability of the system’s colors and shades is determined by the percentage of transparency in the basic colors, which gives the design system flexibility and versatility. We chose the basic font Geometric Euclid Circular A from Swiss Typefaces. The font has non-standard shapes, but it remains readable and understandable. So, the typography in the product is original and clean.

The updated design not only enhances usability but also provides a better experience for drivers using the coach driver app during active routes and schedule tracking.