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Are you an entrepreneur who wants to invest in the future of mobility? If yes, then you are in the right place.

It is no secret that the transportation tracking app industry is booming in today’s digital landscape. It’s presenting numerous golden opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to tap into a rapidly evolving or growing market.

Innovative transportation tracking apps are becoming significant as businesses look for transparency and greater efficiency in their operations. These solutions have enabled real-time monitoring of every vehicle and package, reducing costs and ensuring customer satisfaction.

The market for transport monitoring is projected to increase from its 2024 valuation of US$17.43 billion to US$34.17 billion by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. This market state illustrates how businesses could benefit from investing in public transportation tracking app development.

So, read this blog until the end to understand what it takes for a successful public transport tracking app development. Let’s begin without further ado!

Quick Summary: Learn to make public transportation tracking app, what significant features make it different, what its development cost is, and how it could benefit a business more.

What is a Public Transportation Tracking App?

The public transportation tracking app is a digital tool used to get real-time information about the arrival times and locations of public vehicles, such as trains, buses, and subways. Using GPSL technology, these platforms monitor the movement of vehicles and show their current position on the map.

The app also offers features like route planning, departure times, and notifications about service changes or delays. With these apps, users can easily find nearby transit options, track their journeys, and receive alerts about disruptions that help them plan their travel efficiently.

Overall, the public transportation tracking apps provide a seamless user experience while they move.

Market Stats of Public Transport Tracking Apps

Public Transportation – Worldwide

The global public transportation market is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades.
The industry is anticipated to generate an astounding US$288.00 billion by 2024, with an approximate yearly development rate of 2.29% from 2024 to 2029.
By 2029, the market is anticipated to have grown to US$322.60 billion.
In addition, the market for public transportation is anticipated to grow to 17 billion users by 2029, with a predicted user penetration rate of 64.2% by that time, up from 57.5% in 2024.
It’s also important to remember that by 2029, internet sales will account for 26% of the market’s total income in the public transportation sector.

Top 5 Public Transport Tracking Apps

It’s good that you are investing in a geolocation app development. However, before you invest in this, you must be aware of the relevant landscape. Here are the top 5 key competitors and alternatives that will help you to know what the users want and what different you can offer:

Moovit
Uber
Transit
Citymapper
NextThere

1. Moovit

It’s a popular transport tracking app provides real-time information on trains, buses, shared roads, and subways. The app allows users to plan their journeys and find nearby bike stations. Its extensive database covers many cities worldwide, which makes it reliable.

2. Uber

The app has gained huge popularity for its user-friendly interface. It has also integrated with public transportation systems in various cities. Using an app like Uber, users can see vehicle routes and book rides directly through the app. This integration offers a seamless travel experience.

3. Transit

This is one of the best apps for public transportation, popular in North American cities, and provides real-time information on trains, buses, and subways. Users can track their journeys in real-time and find nearby bike-sharing stations.

4. Citymapper

Citymapper offers real-time information on public transportation, including trains, buses, subways, and ferries. Like a transit app, the app allows users to plan their journeys, monitor their rides, and find nearby bike-sharing stations.

5. NextThere

The app helps users know the next scheduled departure time for public transportation from their current location. Additionally, Nextthere displays the services that will efficiently direct users to their chosen destination.

How Do Public Transport Tracking Apps Work?

Investing in fleet management software development is a smart business move. However, you must understand how the apps work. This will help you recognize their value proposition, how they enhance operational efficiency, and how they provide data insights that drive scalability and profit.

Download the App
Set Location
Choose the Transport Mode
Input Destination
Track Journey

1. Download the App

Start by downloading the public transport tracking app from the app store. Moovit, Citymapper, and Google Maps are some of the key examples of these apps.

2. Set Location

After installing the app, access the location by granting permission to use the app. This enables users to determine their current positions and provide relevant and accurate information.

3. Choose the Transport Mode

Here, users choose the transport mode they want, such as train, metro, or bus. This will filter the app’s results and show only those options aligning with the user’s preferred traveling method.

4. Input Destination

Users must enter their determination or select it from the app’s suggested location. The tracking app will calculate the best route and give users real-time information about available services.

5. Track Journey

When users travel, the app tracks their progress and provides updates on their estimated arrival time. The app also displays information about nearby stops or potential delays. Many apps also offer live traffic updates and alternative route suggestions.

5 Benefits of Public Transport Tracking App Development

You might be wondering why you should invest in GPS tracking app development. Well, in today’s digital era, this tracking app unlocks a range of benefits, from optimizing fleet efficiency to improving passer experience. If you want to know in detail, have a look at the following benefits:

Revenue Generation
Wider Audience Reach
Strengthen Brand Image
Improved Service Efficiency
Data Collection

1. Revenue Generation

With well-crafted transport tracking platforms, you can generate revenue in different ways. You can adopt different monetization strategies, such as subscription plans, in-app advertising, and more. Another revenue-generating method is offering premium services like offline map access or personalized route suggestions.

2. Wider Audience Reach

As you know, public transport has become necessary, and tracking apps offer convenience to a large user base. If you create an intuitive and easy-to-use tracking app, you can attract a large audience, including tourists, commuters, and occasional travelers.

3. Strengthen Brand Image

By offering an advanced app for public transport solutions, you can position your business as a forward-thinking entity. This will improve your brand image and enhance your business as an innovation, leading to more opportunities to grow your business.

4. Improved Service Efficiency

Real-time tracking will enhance your business’s operational efficiency by giving commuters live updates about trains or buses. It will also improve route accuracy and reduce waiting times, ensuring a better service experience that boosts customer satisfaction and retention.

5. Data Collection

Transportation tacking platforms generate valuable user data that businesses can use to understand travel patterns, customer preferences, and peak hours. They can also use this data for targeted marketing strategic planning or service improvements that directly influence business growth.

5 Key Steps of Public Transport Tracking App Development

Now, let’s move to the most important question of this blog- how to make an android app for transport tracker. Well, you must understand that strategic planning and a complex mindset are required to bring a game-changing transport solution to life.

That’s where a mobile app development company helps. However, if you have your own development team, carefully follow the following steps:

Extensive Market Research
Make UI/UX Design
Application Development
Testing and Quality Assurance
Deployment and Maintenance

1. Extensive Market Research

Strat the journey of public transport tracking app development with market research. This will help you understand the relevant landscape to identify your app’s potential.

So, start by addressing your target audience, their needs, expectations, and pain points so that you can develop your app accordingly. You must also examine who your competitors are and what they offer. This will help you make your transport services app unique and stand out.

2. Make UI/UX Design

Now that you have a clear picture of your target users and their requirements shift your focus to user interface and user experience. You are advised to create an intuitive, simple, and visually appealing interface, attracting the user’s attention. If you are unfamiliar with such design, consult a travel app development company with years of experience.

3. Application Development

Once your app’s design is ready, you can start building your tracking app. You must focus on integrating reliable GPS tracking, real-time data updates, and route mapping.

Hire an Android or iPhone app development company to create a robust backend system that supports high traffic and multiple data points. Ensure your app for public transportation is developed with the utmost elegance and simplicity, as a beautifully designed app attracts more users.

4. Testing and Quality Assurance

Don’t skip this phase, as it’s the most critical phase that ensures there is not any problem with the system and it’s ready to launch. This includes testing for security, performance, and user experience across different devices.

At this phase, a taxi app development firm checks for functionality issues and bugs, ensuring the app will perform well under different conditions that give user’s confidence in the service.

5. Deployment and Maintenance

Now, all the benefits that are given to development, your iOS, Android, or cross-platform solutions are finally showcased here. With a strategic marketing strategy, you can introduce your app to the market and launch it in different app stores.

Furthermore, after deploying your app, monitor your app’s performance and make necessary adjustments. Also, stay up-to-date with market trends and technologies to stay ahead in today’s competitive market.

Working with Dev Technosys on our public transport tracking app was the best experience. Its team has the technical expertise, professionalism, and deep understanding of our needs to deliver reliable, user-friendly solutions. So, I highly recommend Dev Technosys if someone wants to create a tracking app.

-Oliver Atkinson

Must-have Features of Public Transport Tracking Apps

Now that you have learned how a public transport tracking app can be developed let’s understand what makes the app successful. For this, you have to include features that boost passenger satisfaction, ensure smooth commutes, and optimizer operation; if you are also looking for your iOS or Android app development services, consider the following unique yet significant features:

1. Customer Panel Features

Easy Registration
Payment Gateway
Monitoring
Notify Users
Feedback and Suggestions

Easy Registration

Create transport tracking app that allows users to easily sign up using their preferred methods, such as social media accounts, mobile numbers, or email.

Payment Gateway

For services like paying fares or booking tickets, ensure the payment gateway integration of your app with different payment options that cater to the driver user base.

Monitoring

With this feature, users can track their vehicles in real-time on a map view, estimate their arrival time, and receive alerts about any route changes or delays.

Notify Users

Apps transport tracking notify users about service disruptions, important updates, and schedule changes.

Feedback and Suggestions

Hire mobile app developers to install this feature so that users can share their experience with the app and provide valuable input to improve your app and services.

2. Driver Panel Features

Driver’s Profile
Service Alert
Performance Metrics
Real-time Notification
Digital Proof of Delivery

Driver’s Profile

Ensure drivers have a dedicated profile for your app where they can manage their personal details, service history, and vehicle details.

Service Alert

Provide drivers with real-time alerts about service disruptions, urgent messages from the dispatches center, or route changes.

Performance Metrics

With performance metrics, such as customer ratings, overtime arrival rates, and fuel efficiency, drivers can track their performance and identify areas for improvement.

Real-time Notification

Create a mobile app that allows drivers to receive real-time notifications from passengers, including booking requests, changes in a pickup or drop-off location, and more.

Digital Proof of Delivery

For package delivery, the app must provide an electronic process for the delivery feature that allows drivers to capture and store digital signatures as evidence of successful delivery.

Cost of the Public Transport Tracking App Development

Some businesses hold their idea of transport tracking app development because they need to familiarize themselves with the cost or find the cost very high. However, you must understand that the cost of public transport tracking app development is not so high.

On average, the cost could range between $8000 to $27000, which can vary based on some factors, including the app’s design, features, development team, and many more.

Furthermore, suppose you have some special requirement or want to install advanced features into your app. In that case, it will increase the app’s complexity level and impact the fleet management app development cost, as mentioned in the table below:

Public Transport Tracking App Development	Estimated Cost	Time Frame
Simple Public Transport Tracking App Development	$8000 – $13000	3 to 6 Months
Medium-Complex Public Transport Tracking App Development	$13000 – $21000	6 to 9 Months
High-Complex Public Transport Tracking App Development	$27000+	10+ Months

Apart from all this, you must also consider the app’s maintenance cost. On average, the cost to maintain a mobile app ranges between $15 and 20% of overall transportation app development.

Why Regular Updates Are Crucial for the Public Transport Tracking App?

Do not neglect the continuous updates of your tracking app, as regular updates ensure your transport tracking app stays relevant and fresh. Here are some of the compelling reasons to help you understand why you must keep your app maintained and updated, ensuring a successful tracking or logistics app development:

Regular updates guarantee the real-time accuracy of the train, bus, or taxi schedules, enhancing commuter reliability.
Frequent updates for glitches and issues that provide a smoother experience and reduce app crashes.
The update addresses security vulnerabilities that protect users’ personal information from potential threats.
App updating allows the addition of new features, such as user feedback options or route suggestions, that make the app more user-friendly and useful.
Regular updates allow you to comply with the new government regulations and public transport policies that ensure lawful services.

Essential Tech Stack for Public Transport Tracking App Development Solutions

As you know, public transport tracking apps have become significant for efficient commuting in today’s urban environment. Hence, developing such an app requires a robust tech stack that can easily handle user-friendly interfaces, real-time data, and secure transactions.

Surely, you might also be looking for this. So, here is a brief table to help your audience understand the critical components that form the backbone of successful navigation app development.

Component	Technologies
Frontend	React Native, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin
Backend	Node.js, Java (Spring Boot) Python (Django/Flask),
API Integration	GraphQL, RESTful APIs, SOAP
Database	SQLite, PostgreSQL,MySQL, MongoDB, Firebase
Analytics	Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics
Authentication	OAuth, JWT
Push Notifications	Apple Push Notification Service, Firebase Cloud Messaging
Version Control	Git, GitHub, Bitbucket
Deployment	Apple App Store, Google Play Store, TestFlight, Firebase App Distribution

How Can You Make Money with the Public Transportation App?

Do you know that you can earn revenue with public transport tracking app development? If yes, it’s good; if you do not know, there is no need to worry; here are some of the best and most effective app monetization strategies to help you generate revenue. So let’s explore:

In-app Advertising
In-app Purchase
Premium Subscription
Data Monetization
Collaborate with Transportation Providers

1. In-app Advertising

You can display ads within your tracking apps, such as interstitial ads, video ads, or banners. The ads can be targeted to a particular demographic based on user data. You must carefully manage the ad frequency and placement to generate revenue without distributing the user’s experience.

2. In-app Purchase

If you create public transportation tracking app, users can purchase additional features within your public transport app. However, they need to pay to unlock premium features like real-time traffic updates, offline maps, or priority customer support.

3. Premium Subscription

In this, users pay a recurring fee and access exclusive benefits and features, including priority customer support, an ad-free experience, or access to premium content like travel tips or city guides. By providing subscribers with substantial value, you can earn revenue streams.

4. Data Monetization

You can collect user data about their behavior, travel patterns, demographics, and preferences with your tracking app. You must understand that this data can be valuable to market research institutions, advertisers, and transportation authorities. Hence, by selling the data to them, you can generate revenue.

5. Collaborate with Transportation Providers

In this revenue-generation strategy, businesses can collaborate with transit agencies and offer additional services like fare payment, ticketing, and loyalty programs. The partnership can generate revenue through advertising opportunities, data-sharing agreements, or transaction fees.

Final Thoughts!

This blog might help you understand how investing in a public transport tracking app development can be a lucrative business opportunity app. As cities grow, people look for convenient solutions for their traveling.

In that case, real-time tracking solutions have the potential to transform how people navigate public transport, which lead to better time management and satisfied passengers. Hence, it’s the right time to take a move in this direction, taking your business to the next level.

So, if you have decided to invest in public transport tracking app development, collaborate with an experienced and reputed taxi booking app development company like Dev Technosys. Our team will ensure that the app is built with cutting-edge technology and customized to meet your specific needs while satisfying customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Public Transport Tracking App?

There is no specific cost for public transport tracking app development, as the cost depends on several factors, including the app’s features, design, development platform, developers, and more. However, on average, the cost can be between $8000 and $27000.

2. How Long Does It Take to Build Public Transport Tracking App?

The time for public transport tracking app development is 3 to 7 months. If you want to develop a feature-rich tracking app or have special requirements, the time could be extended by 10 months.

3. What Security Measures Must be Implemented for a Public Transport Tracking App?

If you invest in public transport tracking app development, ensure the following security measures: