Jump
London Bus App
Every year, over two billion bus journeys are made across London—more than five and a half million every day.
Jump set out to harness Transport for London’s (TfL) Open API to create a smarter, easier way to navigate this essential service.
/the objective
The aim was to combine TfL’s Open API with a playful, game-like interface and deliver real-time bus information in a way that felt fresh and intuitive.
Designed for speed and simplicity, offering one-tap access to nearby stops and live arrival times.
/the process
Explored a range of early concepts through quick sketches—testing layout ideas, interaction patterns, and ways to present real-time data clearly.
Developed initial screen designs, starting to shape the app’s visual language and experimenting with how users might interact with core features.
Built a simple prototype to explore how the bus stop screen might feel in motion
At this stage, the interface still wasn’t working. The animated bus numbers felt chaotic and hard to track, and the transition from the map view to stop details lacked flow—it felt jarring and disconnected.
So we stepped back, re-evaluated the core interactions, and returned to the drawing board with a sharper focus.
/the card idea was born
We found that having a card emerge from the bus stop pin—without fully covering the map—helped users maintain spatial orientation. It offered a clearer, more grounded experience. As a bonus, we were able to bring back elements from our early timeline concepts and integrate them into the final design.
Users could easily tab through bus numbers along the bottom of the card to view real-time arrival times for each route.
/the app icon
Sketches.
Early ConceptsThe first round of app icon designs felt too generic—lacking the distinct character we were aiming for.
Around that time, London’s iconic Routemaster buses had just been redesigned, sparking a new direction. We looked to this modern evolution of a classic symbol to create an icon that felt unmistakably "London."
Final DesignThe final app icon draws directly from the updated Routemaster design, capturing its sleek, contemporary feel.
With each major update, we refresh the icon using a real London bus number and destination.
Check out the app in action in the promo video—or download it for free and take it for a spin yourself. or download it for free and have a play for yourself.
/press reviews
"Jump is one of the slickest bus apps: a fast, well-designed way to check nearby bus stops, buses on their way and set alerts to make sure you never miss them."
Stuart Dredge
The Guardian
“Jump for iPhone is a slick, real-time bus-tracker for London-dwellers.”
Paul Sawers
The Next Web
"Jump uses an 'almost game like interface,' and allows users to track buses' progress in realtime, view routes and set alerts"
Design Week
“Jump is here to quell your transport-based wrath. This (genius) new London bus app knows your favourite stops and tracks bus progress in real time.”
Essential Apps
Shortlist
/awards and recognition
Best User Experience
Finalist
Best User Experience
People's Lovie
Best User Interface
Shortlist
Best use of API
Shortlist
Mobile Of The Day Winner
Best use of API
Finalist
City & Urban Innovation
Nominee
Best New Apps
Best Travel Apps
Mobile UI Design
Finalist
Jump
London Bus App
Every year, over two billion bus journeys are made across London—more than five and a half million every day.
Jump set out to harness Transport for London’s (TfL) Open API to create a smarter, easier way to navigate this essential service.
/the objective
The aim was to combine TfL’s Open API with a playful, game-like interface and deliver real-time bus information in a way that felt fresh and intuitive.
Designed for speed and simplicity, offering one-tap access to nearby stops and live arrival times.
/the process
Explored a range of early concepts through quick sketches—testing layout ideas, interaction patterns, and ways to present real-time data clearly.
Developed initial screen designs, starting to shape the app’s visual language and experimenting with how users might interact with core features.
Built a simple prototype to explore how the bus stop screen might feel in motion
At this stage, the interface still wasn’t working. The animated bus numbers felt chaotic and hard to track, and the transition from the map view to stop details lacked flow—it felt jarring and disconnected.
So we stepped back, re-evaluated the core interactions, and returned to the drawing board with a sharper focus.
/the card idea was born
We found that having a card emerge from the bus stop pin—without fully covering the map—helped users maintain spatial orientation. It offered a clearer, more grounded experience. As a bonus, we were able to bring back elements from our early timeline concepts and integrate them into the final design.
Users could easily tab through bus numbers along the bottom of the card to view real-time arrival times for each route.
/the app icon
Sketches.
Early ConceptsThe first round of app icon designs felt too generic—lacking the distinct character we were aiming for.
Around that time, London’s iconic Routemaster buses had just been redesigned, sparking a new direction. We looked to this modern evolution of a classic symbol to create an icon that felt unmistakably "London."
Final DesignThe final app icon draws directly from the updated Routemaster design, capturing its sleek, contemporary feel.
With each major update, we refresh the icon using a real London bus number and destination.
Check out the app in action in the promo video—or download it for free and take it for a spin yourself.
/press reviews
"Jump is one of the slickest bus apps: a fast, well-designed way to check nearby bus stops, buses on their way and set alerts to make sure you never miss them."
Stuart Dredge
The Guardian
“Jump for iPhone is a slick, real-time bus-tracker for London-dwellers.”
Paul Sawers
The Next Web
“Jump is here to quell your transport-based wrath. This (genius) new London bus app knows your favourite stops and tracks bus progress in real time.”
Essential Apps
Shortlist
"Jump uses an 'almost game like interface,' and allows users to track buses' progress in realtime, view routes and set alerts"
Design Week
/awards and recognition
Best User Experience
Finalist
Best User Experience
People's Lovie
Best User Interface
Shortlist
Best use of API
Finalist
Mobile UI Design
Finalist
City & Urban Innovation
Nominee
Mobile Of The Day Winner
Best New Apps
Best Travel Apps
Best use of API
Shortlist
Jump
London Bus App
Every year, over two billion bus journeys are made across London—more than five and a half million every day.
Jump set out to harness Transport for London’s (TfL) Open API to create a smarter, easier way to navigate this essential service.
/the objective
The aim was to combine TfL’s Open API with a playful, game-like interface and deliver real-time bus information in a way that felt fresh and intuitive.
Designed for speed and simplicity, offering one-tap access to nearby stops and live arrival times.
/the process
Explored a range of early concepts through quick sketches—testing layout ideas, interaction patterns, and ways to present real-time data clearly.
Developed initial screen designs, starting to shape the app’s visual language and experimenting with how users might interact with core features.
Built a simple prototype to explore how the bus stop screen might feel in motion
At this stage, the interface still wasn’t working. The animated bus numbers felt chaotic and hard to track, and the transition from the map view to stop details lacked flow—it felt jarring and disconnected.
So we stepped back, re-evaluated the core interactions, and returned to the drawing board with a sharper focus.
/the card idea was born
We found that having a card emerge from the bus stop pin—without fully covering the map—helped users maintain spatial orientation. It offered a clearer, more grounded experience. As a bonus, we were able to bring back elements from our early timeline concepts and integrate them into the final design.
Users could easily tab through bus numbers along the bottom of the card to view real-time arrival times for each route.
/the app icon
Sketches.
Early ConceptsThe first round of app icon designs felt too generic—lacking the distinct character we were aiming for.
Around that time, London’s iconic Routemaster buses had just been redesigned, sparking a new direction. We looked to this modern evolution of a classic symbol to create an icon that felt unmistakably "London."
Final DesignThe final app icon draws directly from the updated Routemaster design, capturing its sleek, contemporary feel.
With each major update, we refresh the icon using a real London bus number and destination.
Check out the app in action in the promo video—or download it for free and take it for a spin yourself.
/press reviews
"Jump is one of the slickest bus apps: a fast, well-designed way to check nearby bus stops, buses on their way and set alerts to make sure you never miss them."
Stuart Dredge
The Guardian
“Jump for iPhone is a slick, real-time bus-tracker for London-dwellers.”
Paul Sawers
The Next Web
“Jump is here to quell your transport-based wrath. This (genius) new London bus app knows your favourite stops and tracks bus progress in real time.”
Essential Apps
Shortlist
"Jump uses an 'almost game like interface,' and allows users to track buses' progress in realtime, view routes and set alerts"
Design Week
/awards and recognition
Best User Experience
Finalist
Best User Experience
People's Lovie
Best User Interface
Shortlist
Best use of API
Finalist
Mobile UI Design
Finalist
City & Urban Innovation
Nominee
Mobile Of The Day Winner
Best New Apps
Best Travel Apps
Best use of API
Shortlist