Exercise 2 - State of Art (Applications) - Amanda

Today there are two apps available at app store and play store that help you look up timetables and routes.

The first one is “Res I STHLM” and is most widely used in Sweden since it has been the only one of its kind for a very long time. It was first launched a few years ago and it designed to help you find your way around Stockholm by entering your location and destination. It also displays real time timetables and disruptions in the traffic. The app is available in 11 different languages and displays what kind of zone you are in and going to enter which facilitates a lot when buying single tickets. The app also helps you to purchase the required ticket. When clicking on purchase, the app automatically generates a SMS with the right number and zone, which is to great help if you are able to purchase tickets with your phone (so it is good for Swedish tourists but not tourists from other countries where phone purchases often are blocked abroad)

How you buy a ticket with SMS with "Res in STHLM"

The app “SL-biljetter” is newly launched with the purpose to ease the purchasing process. Just like “Res I STHLM” you are able to enter your destination and location and the quickest route is calculated and the timetable is shown. What differs from the other app is that you are able to connect your credit card to the app, so when you make a purchase, it will make a withdrawn on your credit card. This comes to handy if you haven’t registered for the new system that requires you to be over 18 years old to buy things via SMS. The big disadvantage with this app is that it is only available in Swedish. Since tourists from other countries would advantage from paying by credit card, this function is lost due to limitations in language.

How you buy a ticket with creditcard with "SL-biljett"

Booth apps lack information about the different ticket types and prices. They are also dependent on Internet connections which is a huge limitation. Since most international tourist, which also is our target group,  does not have access to roaming and free wifi it is a great disadvantage. 

//Amanda