New public transport app developed for child-specific needs

Based on the HaCon Kids App, which utilises child-friendly innovations, the new mobility app, ‘VBB jump’, presented by Berlin-Brandenburg public transport authority VBB, will begin helping a younger user group to travel from door to door – a first step toward safer travel for kids.

The HaCon Kids App’s main feature is the simple and intuitive user interface tailored to meet the needs and abilities of younger passengers. Developed through qualitative analyses, interviews at schools in Berlin and extensive usability tests, the new application has been approved by numerous children and their parents.

By conducting comprehensive research, a variety of factors were considered during the development process, such as insights into the preferred routes and means of transport that children use, as well as how they handle smartphones in general and in particular, navigation apps. 

Michael Frankenberg, HaCon CEO, said: “Assuming that driver’s licenses and private cars will play even lesser roles for the young generation, the importance of public transport will continue to grow. This is exactly where our Kids App comes into play: With ‘VBB jump,’ children will now intuitively and safely find their way from A to B.”

Credit: HaCon

The app will be available for mobile Android devices.

There is a new help function included: if a child has boarded the wrong bus or needs help, they can easily reach their parents, or previously defined contacts, via text message or a phone call. The app then automatically forwards GPS information regarding the child’s location, as well as the phone’s current battery level.

VBB Managing Director, Susanne Henckel, added: “We want to get children excited about bus and rail travel at an early age and support them as much as possible. Sometimes it might be quite complex to navigate through our transport system. ‘VBB jump’ makes digital trip planning a breeze and paves the way for children to quickly and easily get around.”