To improve the route planner to increase the user satisfaction

Improving Route Planning in Budapest

As part of the UPPER project, BKK is implementing a targeted development to improve the route planning function of the BudapestGO application. The main objective of this measure is to increase user satisfaction while making public transport a more attractive and competitive alternative to private car use

Background and Identified Challenges

The development is based on extensive customer feedback, which revealed several recurring issues in the existing journey planner. Users frequently experienced:

• Suboptimal route suggestions
• Unnecessarily long walking distances
• Inconvenient itineraries
• Routes prioritising fewer transfers instead of shorter travel times

These findings highlighted a clear mismatch between system-generated routes and user expectations, indicating the need for a more flexible and user-centred solution.

Analysis and Development Approach

To better understand the underlying problems, a comprehensive analysis of the route planning engine was carried out. The assessment focused on identifying the root causes of non-optimal journey planning, including:

• Map data inaccuracies
• Traffic disruptions
• Timetable inconsistencies

• Parameterisation issues

Based on this analysis, targeted improvements were defined to enhance both the accuracy and reliability of the system.

Key Improvements Introduced

A central element of the measure is the upgrade of the route planning engine (OTP software), complemented by new functionality that allows users to personalise their journey planning.

Key improvements include:

• Selection of preferred routing options:
  • Fastest route
  • Fewest transfers
  • Least walking distance
• Adjustable individual walking speed
• More accurate and consistent route suggestions

These developments make the system better aligned with real user needs and travel behaviour.

Integrated Mobility Solution

The measure also strengthens BudapestGO as a comprehensive, all-in-one mobility platform. The application integrates:

• Route planning
• Ticket purchase
• Ticket validation
• Passenger information

By combining these functions in a single interface, the app eliminates the need to switch between multiple tools and provides a smoother, more convenient user experience.

Expected Impact

The improved route planning system contributes to several broader objectives:

• Increased user satisfaction and trust
• More reliable and transparent travel information
• Reduced uncertainty during daily trips

• Higher attractiveness of public transport

Ultimately, these improvements can support a modal shift toward more sustainable transport modes, particularly by making public transport easier and more competitive for everyday use.

Business and Strategic Relevance

Although the application itself does not directly generate revenue, it plays a key role in the wider mobility ecosystem. Its impact includes:

• Supporting increased public transport usage
• Indirectly contributing to higher ticket and pass sales
• Strengthening customer engagement and loyalty
• Compared to alternative solutions, BudapestGO offers a unique advantage by combining journey planning, ticketing, and validation in a single platform tailored to Budapest.

Conclusion

Overall, the measure delivers a more accurate, flexible and user-oriented journey planning experience. The solution is technically mature and ready for deployment, supported by the necessary infrastructure and organisational capacity. By improving both usability and service quality, it contributes to the long-term goal of a more efficient, user-friendly, and sustainable urban mobility system in Budapest.