How to Build an Public Transit App like Transit: Your Ultimate Development Blueprint

One of the most common issues of public transit apps is inaccurate or delayed real-time data, which leads to missed buses or trains.

Many users also struggle with poor route recommendations, where suggested paths are inefficient or under construction. (Remember the last time Google led you to a dead end!)

Lack of offline access is another challenge, especially in areas with limited connectivity like underground stations.

What if you could get an app that gives you real-time updates with accurate bus or train timings?

Also, provide the optimized route navigation and information in non-Internet areas?

Users benefit from the Transit app’s smooth and smart real-time public transportation navigation.

With its live bus, train, and ride-share tracking features, customers can plan their trips with real-time precision.

Impressed by these features, and if you are also thinking – “How to make an app like Transit?”, you have landed at the right place. Keep reading.

What are Public Transit Apps?

Applications for mobile devices that help users navigate and use public transportation systems, such as buses, trains, and subways, are commonly referred to as public transit apps. Such mobile apps act as an easy way to use technology for commuting.

These applications increase the accessibility and convenience of public transportation by offering real-time information, route planning, and sometimes even payment options.

Importance of Building an App Like Transit

The primary reason for providing public transportation to the public is –

Affordability: An affordable means that connects the most travelled public routes.

Accessibility: A means of travel that anybody can access.

Public transport apps add another “A,” i.e., Availability, to the public transport.

Availability: A means of transport that is available to all and anyone can use it.

Public transport is an essential component of the travel industry.

Whether you’re navigating city buses(transit apps) or planning a cross-country trip(travel apps), the magic of apps is the same- leveraging technology to smooth out the journey before it even begins.

Travel app development, if we talk about it, is all about planning trips, bookings, places to go, and whatnot. Meanwhile, public transportation app development is about making convenience a priority.

Both are focused on a similar concept of providing the “4 As” to travellers.

Apps like Citymapper, Transit, and Moovit fall in the public transit app category.

When you want to stand out from the crowd, two things help –

1. A great idea
2. AI

Here’s what you can do with AI.

AI-fying Your App Like Transit

The one question that pops up and you are curious about while researching is “How can AI help improve public transit apps?” Well, there are already tens of benefits of public transit apps, and AI will only add to the list of benefits. AI can –

• Enhance User Convenience
• Spot Nearby transit options
• Save time and money
• Engage the user

These are just a few points that make the user journey easier when using Transit-like apps.

Think about how much easier getting around the city became when apps like Transit, Citymapper, and Moovit showed up, right?

They basically took the guesswork out of public transport.

Adding AI isn’t just fancy anymore. It’s what you need to keep up and give people truly smart ways to travel.

Whether you’re trying to

–help folks navigate a busy city,

–make their daily commute smoother,

— make it a breeze for tourists to figure out the buses and trains,

AI is the magic ingredient that turns plain old information into up-to-date information, with super-helpful directions.

Do you know about the latest AI use cases in the travel industry?

To engage the users, you need some great features like offline availability so users can plan their routes in areas with no internet.

Key features of a Public Transit App

(An image containing the features list)

The domain of public transit app development focuses on creating intuitive and user-friendly mobile apps. When you develop or build an app like Transit, you need a comprehensive app for individuals who use public transportation.

Some essential features that are not merely optional for a public transit app but rather mandatory for its success and utility.

• Tracking the Real-Time Location with GPS

The most important feature to consider when you develop an app like transit. A GPS location tracker allows users to track the vehicle’s real-time location.

Passengers spend a lot of time searching for and finding the departure and arrival times of public transportation.

With GPS technology, they can easily find departure and arrival times, plan routes, and receive real-time updates from transportation services.

• Map view for Navigation

A very useful tool to get real-time data. Inherently, people are shy and reluctant to ask for directions from strangers or at unknown places.

Maps have come as a boon to the transportation industry. Providing the map view in the app can enhance user convenience.

And by clubbing these two features – Map view and GPS, commuters can easily reach any destination using a public transit app. Such a mobile app is bound to be successful.

• Ride History

The feature allows users to access the previous trip’s details. Ride history has complete details about

• The previous journey,
• date, and time of journey
• The route traveled
• and the mode of transportation used.

• Smart Ticket Booking

Ticket booking via a transportation mobile app increases convenience. Using AI features and filters to book tickets. Such apps help with promotional discounts for the users. This feature helps save time and money for users.

• User-Friendly Interface

An easy-to-use user interface that is user-friendly as well. Make it simple to browse real-time transit forecasts, locate nearby stops, and plan routes in advance.

• Offline Routes

For commuters who often set their commute hours, having an offline view of your app’s schedule and routes makes things much easier.

All frequent travelers who use the same routes and stations enjoy the offline view.

In offline mode, your users can plan their trip from point A to point B with ease.

Make sure that the application is designed and developed so customers can check their routes and schedules offline.

• Real-time Updates and Arrival Times

With the internet on your mobile phone, you can easily get real-time updates. Users can access the real-time data, such as the current location of the transportation vehicle and the estimated arrival time.

• Push Notifications

Push notifications give instant alerts to online users about emergencies like traffic jams, delays, or any construction. The real-time updates from push notifications help users to plan their bus or train journey accordingly.

Pro Tip: What you can do extra

To allow users to report delays in public transportation, you can incorporate a passenger report into your app. Users will be able to share their experiences with other users of the app as a result.

Benefits of Transit Like App Development

When building an app like Transit, there are several advantages, such as reaching a wider target audience and providing information tailored to user preferences. Here are a few benefits –

Improved Efficiency: By automating crucial procedures like order management and route optimization, transportation apps reduce costs and speed up delivery.

Real-time tracking: Helps build trust and lower customer complaints by enabling customers and logistics managers to follow shipments and cars in real-time.

Paperless Documentation: By eliminating paper documents, mobile apps facilitate the organization and preservation of important records.

Data analytics: Mobile apps can gather and examine data, offering insightful information for wise choices and ongoing development.

Route Optimization: By incorporating GPS technology into transportation applications, routes can be made more efficient, fuel consumption can be decreased, and delivery delays can be avoided.

Customer Engagement: By enabling direct order placement, shipment tracking, and notification delivery, specialized transportation apps improve customer happiness.

Actionable Step-by-Step Guide to Build An App Like Transit

Step 1 – Planning the App’s Functionality

Understand the user pain points, local transit systems, and key features competitors offer.

✅ User Inputs:

• Target cities or countries (local or global)
• Types of transit modes to include (bus, metro, bike, ride-share, etc.)
• Target user personas (commuters, tourists, students, etc.)

Actionable Input:

A user survey or interview with potential users can help. Prepare an interview sheet or user survey to gather pain points and usage preferences from potential users.

Step 2 – Feature Planning and MVP Development

Decide on core functionalities to include in the first version of the app.

✅ Must-Have Features:

• Real-time transit tracking
• Route planning
• Offline access to maps
• Schedule viewer
• Push notifications for delays or alerts

✅ User Inputs:

Decide if payments or ticket booking should be integrated from day one.

Choose whether to include multi-modal travel (e.g., walking + train + ride-share).

Actionable Input:

Use a framework to understand their needs and likes –

• Must have – what are the features or things that MUST be in the app?
• What else can be added to make a great functional travel app?
• Could have – additional suggestions like estimated travel time, and such options
• Won’t have – what features or elements does the client not want in the app like transit? 
• To prioritize features for the MVP.

Also read: 7 steps to develop an MVP for your business.

Step 3 – Implementing the UI/UX Design Principles

Design an intuitive, user-friendly interface tailored to commuters on the move.

✅ User Inputs:

• Brand color schemes and design references help you decide whether you want a minimalist design or a neo-brutalist one.
• Wireframes or sketches of preferred layouts
• Competitor app elements you like/dislike

Read more on the latest UI UX design trends of 2025

Actionable Input :

Ask the client to share references. Based on it, the design team can prepare from the design inspiration or references using tools like Dribble, Behance, or Figma boards with the UI team.

Step 4 – Architecture and API Integration

Set up the app’s server-side infrastructure and connect it with transit data sources.

✅ User Inputs:

• Identify if you will use real-time feeds from transit authorities.
• Choose if you want to include 3rd-party APIs
  -for mapping (Google Maps, Mapbox)
  -payments (Stripe, PayPal), etc.

Actionable Input:

Request API access or licensing rights from local transit agencies early in the process.

Step 5 – Development Procedure

Start coding the app based on finalized designs and architecture.

✅ Tech Stack Suggestion:

Frontend: Flutter / React Native (for cross-platform)

Backend: Node.js / Django

Database: Firebase / MongoDB / PostgreSQL

✅ User Inputs:

• App store names, logos, and brand identity
• Define key flows like onboarding, search, save route, notifications

Actionable Input:

Prepare real-world data samples (e.g., local bus schedules) to simulate live transit features.

Step 6 – Testing and QA

Ensure the app runs smoothly across different devices, locations, and scenarios.

✅ Testing Types:

• Functional testing (does everything work?)
• UI testing (is the design responsive?)
• Performance testing (can it handle high traffic?)
• Location testing (GPS accuracy and route mapping working properly?)

✅ User Inputs:

• Provide a test location or city to simulate real-world behavior.
• Define use cases, e.g., no internet access, or route not available.

Actionable Input:

Recruit some beta testers from different demographics to report issues via a shared feedback document. Different locations will have different issues, which can help you test and strengthen your app.

Step 7 – Launch and Deploy

Deploy the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

✅ User Inputs:

• Developer account credentials
• App metadata: name, description, screenshots, privacy policy, support email
• Marketing assets: icons, promo banners, short demo video

Actionable Input:

Plan a soft launch in one city/region before scaling to multiple locations.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like Transit?

The cost to build an app like Transit is determined by several factors, including –

• App design
• Development
• Features and
• Integration

A basic transportation app development may typically cost between $15,000 and $25,000.

The cost can increase depending on the customizations you need. If you want to add some complex features, then the cost may increase up to $30,000-$40,000.

For the exact price, you need to first examine your specific needs and consult with a travel mobile app development company. Communicate your requirements, goals with details of exactly “what you’re looking for in the app.” 

The primary determinant of a project’s cost is the developers’ hourly rate. Because the total cost of the project depends on the time taken to develop it and the developer’s charges. Several factors determine the hourly rate. One such factor is location. 

For example, if you hire a mobile app developer from India, then it will cost you between $25-$45/hr.

However, it can cost $80-$120 per hour to design an identical app in North America. The cost to hire a mobile app developer from Eastern Europe is even higher, i.e., $90-$130 per hour.

This disparity arises due to each country’s conditions, living standards, and geographic location. The developer’s time, skill, and level of experience are two factors that have a direct impact on a project’s cost.

Depending on the complexity and user requirements, the cost to build an app like transit is determined.

Tech Stack Used to Build an App Like Transit

To develop an app like Transit, you need a robust and scalable tech stack. Every aspect of your mobile app’s development lifecycle, from development speed to launch, is directly impacted by your tech stack.

Regardless of whether you’re scaling a corporate solution or creating an MVP, your stack must support a seamless user experience on all devices.

Hire a mobile app developer with expertise in AI tools and mobile SDKs. Their skill and experience resolve the challenges faced during the development journey and put your app ahead in the race.

If you’re looking to develop a cross-platform app, Flutter is a great option. The widget-rich platform offers a wealth of resources to develop an intuitive, user-friendly app.

For the public transit app development process, you can use a technology stack like –

• Frontend frameworks like React.js, Angular, and others.
• Platforms like iOS and Android. Also, you can use suitable SDKs for mobile applications.
• Programming Languages like Swift and Objective-C for iOS & JavaScript for Android.
• Backend frameworks like Express, NodeJS, Django, Flask, and Phoenix
• Database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, Cassandra
• Cloud-based infrastructure like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud
• Integrating Payment Gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, Braintree, Amazon Pay, WePay, Melio, BlueSnap, Securion
• Content Delivery Networks like CloudFlare, Amazon CloudFront, Akamai, Sucuri CDN

How to Monetize Your Public Transit App?

Different monetization strategies are used to gain revenue from a travel app. You can use

• Freemium model with premium features

You can provide some free services for users to utilize while creating a transit-like app. For advanced functionality, you can charge a reasonable price.

By allowing users to utilize the app, this strategy expands the app’s target audience.

• In-app advertisements

Another great way to earn revenue from the mobile application is to allow in-app advertising. You can charge a decent fee from those who want to advertise in your application.

• Partnerships with local transit authorities

Local authorities increase the trust component. So, when you partner with local authorities, your app is exposed to more users, and its credibility increases.

How AI can Help Build an App Like Transit?

AI Feature	How It Helps	Benefits to Users	Example
Real-Time Arrival Predictions	Uses GPS + historical data to estimate accurate arrival times.	Reduced wait times, increased trust in public transit.	TripIt style smart notifications.
Dynamic Route Optimization	Recommends the fastest route based on traffic, delays, and user habits.	Personalized and time-saving commutes.	Alerting and rerouting the users in case of delays.
Smart Notifications & Alerts	Sends alerts for delays, cancellations, and service disruptions in real time.	Keeps users informed and in control of their journey.	Sending users alerts like “reaching in 10 mins”
Crowd Prediction & Capacity Insights	Uses sensor and user data to predict crowded stations/vehicles.	Helps avoid overcrowded routes, enhancing comfort and safety.	“There is a traffic jam ahead.”
Conversational AI (Chatbots/Voice)	Assists users with route info, support, or accessibility through natural language input.	Hands-free, easy navigation—especially useful for tourists/elderly.	“Where is the nearest bus station or metro?”
Personalized Recommendations	Learns user behavior to offer favorite routes, travel time suggestions, and nearby transit options.	More relevant and intuitive app experience. Save past history, like routes travelled. Make personalized suggestions.	“You last travelled on this route to reach the Lake”
AI-Powered Demand Forecasting	Analyzes usage patterns to forecast rider demand.	Improves route scheduling and fleet allocation for smoother rides.	“Use this alternate route to save 5 mins.”
Accessibility Support via AI	Recognizes user needs and adjusts interface accordingly (e.g., larger fonts, voice prompts).	Ensures inclusivity and better UX for all travelers.	“Use Talkback to use accessibility.”

Read more on How to make an AI-powered App like TripIt?

SolGuruz and Your Next Big Public Transit App Idea?

SolGuruz is a customer-centric travel app development company. We are a leader in the market, with years of experience and knowledge, serving numerous industrial verticals.

We are committed to bridging the gap between innovation, technological complexity, and creativity. Our mission is to help businesses successfully achieve their digital transformation goals and generate excellent ROIs.

Our talented app developers work closely with you to identify your issues and provide a solution that appeals to your target audience.

Wrapping it Up

With real-time information and smooth travel experiences, transportation applications have completely changed how we navigate our cities.

Careful planning, market research, and effective execution are necessary when creating a transportation app like Transit.

A committed travel app development team and the right technological stack will allow you to bring your transportation app concept to life and help shape urban mobility.

Connect with us if you want to know more about the public transit app development cost and process.

FAQs

1. How Much Does it Cost to Create a Transportation App?

The cost to build an app like Transit depends on the complexity level – simple, moderate, or advanced. Then there are other factors, such as location, the developer’s expertise, and the time it takes to develop an app.

2. How to Make a Transportation App?

You can consult a travel app development company that has experience in developing travel apps. You can discuss what you have in mind, your requirements, and your goals.

3. Which App is Better: Moovit vs. Transit?

Both apps have their good points and bad points. Both are public transit apps that offer services for the public to book bus tickets, schedule trips, and roam around the city using public transportation, such as buses and trains.

4. How Do Transit Apps Make Money?

Public Transit apps have monetization options, such as freemium models or in-app advertising. Such options help the app to gain revenue.

5. How Long Does it Take to Build a Transportation App?

The time taken to develop an app depends on the complexity level. Whether the app has simple, moderate, or advanced features, the application takes time accordingly.