Luxury Coach Digital Experience for Abu Dhabi Mobility

Luxury Coach Digital Experience for Abu Dhabi Mobility

Luxury Coach Digital Experience for ADM

Work completed whilst at Tangerine for reimaging of public transportation with Abu Dhabi Dhabi Mobility.

Client

Client

Client

Abu Dhabi Mobility

Abu Dhabi Mobility

Abu Dhabi Mobility

Year

Year

Year

2024

2024

2024

Discliplines

Discliplines

Discliplines

Design Research

Design Research

Design Research

Service design

Service design

Service Design

Information architecture

Information architecture

UI UX

UI UX

Visual design

Visual design

I-A

Interaction design

Interaction design

Motion design

Visual design

UI UX

Abu Dhabi Mobility tasked Tangerine with the redefining coach travel experience, transforming it from a low-tier service into a seamless, design-led luxury experience for premium economy and business travelers. At this blue-sky stage, the vision needed to both inspire leadership and integrate seamlessly with existing services like Darbi and the public bus network.

Abu Dhabi Mobility tasked Tangerine with the redefining coach travel experience, transforming it from a low-tier service into a seamless, design-led luxury experience for premium economy and business travelers. At this blue-sky stage, the vision needed to both inspire leadership and integrate seamlessly with existing services like Darbi and the public bus network.

I led the digital experience redesign, engaging in research, service design, UX strategy and information architecture as well as taking these early designs from wireframe to a final interactive prototype presented to the ADM hierarchy.

I led the digital experience redesign, engaging in research, service design, UX strategy and information architecture as well as taking these early designs from wireframe to a final interactive prototype presented to the ADM hierarchy.

I led the digital experience redesign, engaging in research, service design, UX strategy and information architecture as well as taking these early designs from wireframe to a final interactive prototype presented to the ADM hierarchy.

Problem space

Outdated

1/3

1/3

of passengers perceive coaches as uncomfortable, dirty, or outdated

Lack of transparency

>

>

50%

50%

of passengers think services are infrequent, off schedule and often delayed

Last resort

4%

4%

of people used a coach for their most recent journey to an airport.

Despite the short turnaround of this early stage of the project, the specificity of this project demanded leveraging local stakeholders as well as well as the feedback from the digital services already offered by ADM in order to generate user insights, requirements and areas of focus for a this new service experience.

In the United Arab Emirates….

"Currently the only real way to get between Dubai, Al Ain, and Abu Dhabi is to drive. I usually have to go for a taxi, but I would much prefer (the train experience) as I can keep working and its more spacious."


Interviewee, Business traveller

"I am constantly travelling between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi for business. Bus transport is infrequent, dirty and interrupts my work; taxi travel also has some of these problems, plus its a lot more expensive."

Interviewee, Business traveller

"Not at all user friendly. Buttons don't have descriptions, for new users who don't know the transport lines there is no guide or map.When trying to search places, buildings it cannot find anything. It won’t save any routes or places."

Darbi User, Google Play Store

Businessman

Businessman

VIP

VIP

Client visit

Client visit

Focused on efficiency, they value amenities for work and relaxation, appreciate being recognised as valued customers, and are frustrated by waiting times.

Focused on efficiency, they value amenities for work and relaxation, appreciate being recognised as valued customers, and are frustrated by waiting times.

Family group

Family group

VIP

VIP

Leisure

Leisure

Motivated by quality time, they aim to minimise waiting and maintain privacy together. Frustrations include bored kids, managing luggage, and needing to be quiet.

Motivated by quality time, they aim to minimise waiting and maintain privacy together. Frustrations include bored kids, managing luggage, and needing to be quiet.

Elderly couple

Elderly couple

Premium

Premium

Family visit

Family visit

Valuing slow travel and comfort, they prefer to plan ahead while feeling frustrated by rushing and crowded services.

Valuing slow travel and comfort, they prefer to plan ahead while feeling frustrated by rushing and crowded services.

Expat couple

Expat couple

Premium

Premium

Tourism

Tourism

They seek unique experiences and rest, enjoying the ride as much as the destination, but are challenged with local customs and language.

They seek unique experiences and rest, enjoying the ride as much as the destination, but are challenged with local customs and language.

Opportunity

With the luxury bus market projected to reach $115.8 billion by 2032, there’s a major opportunity to transform coach travel into a business-class experience for the UAE—offering real-time tracking, seamless booking, and premium comfort to meet the expectations of modern travelers.

Full Digital Integration

Full Digital Integration

Bring coach travel into the 21st century with a modern, user-friendly app with instant booking, digital ticketing, and secure payments.

Bring coach travel into the 21st century with a modern, user-friendly app with instant booking, digital ticketing, and secure payments.

Premium Amenities

Premium Amenities

Offer spacious seating, onboard WiFi, refreshments, and entertainment to rival business-class travel.


Offer spacious seating, onboard WiFi, refreshments, and entertainment to rival business-class travel.


Personalised Service

Personalised Service

Implement AI-driven recommendations, loyalty perks, and concierge-style support for a tailored experience.

Implement AI-driven recommendations, loyalty perks, and concierge-style support for a tailored experience.

Ops Transparency

Operations Transparency

Provide accurate live updates to eliminate uncertainty and reduce passenger frustration.


Provide accurate live updates to eliminate uncertainty and reduce passenger frustration.


Problem space

Outdated

1/3

of passengers perceive coaches as uncomfortable, dirty, or outdated

Lack of transparency

>

50%

of passengers think services are infrequent, off schedule and often delayed

Last resort

4%

of people used a coach for their most recent journey to an airport.

Despite the short turnaround of this early stage of the project, the specificity of this project demanded leveraging local stakeholders as well as well as the feedback from the digital services already offered by ADM in order to generate user insights, requirements and areas of focus for a this new service experience.

In the United Arab Emirates….

"Currently the only real way to get between Dubai, Al Ain, and Abu Dhabi is to drive. I usually have to go for a taxi, but I would much prefer (the train experience) as I can keep working and its more spacious."


Interviewee, Business traveller

"I am constantly travelling between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi for business. Bus transport is infrequent, dirty and interrupts my work; taxi travel also has some of these problems, plus its a lot more expensive."

Interviewee, Business traveller

"Not at all user friendly. Buttons don't have descriptions, for new users who don't know the transport lines there is no guide or map.When trying to search places, buildings it cannot find anything. It won’t save any routes or places."

Darbi User, Google Play Store

Businessman

VIP

Client visit

Focused on efficiency, they value amenities for work and relaxation, appreciate being recognised as valued customers, and are frustrated by waiting times.

Family group

VIP

Leisure

Motivated by quality time, they aim to minimise waiting and maintain privacy together. Frustrations include bored kids, managing luggage, and needing to be quiet.

Elderly couple

Premium

Family visit

Valuing slow travel and comfort, they prefer to plan ahead while feeling frustrated by rushing and crowded services.

Expat couple

Premium

Tourism

They seek unique experiences and rest, enjoying the ride as much as the destination, but are challenged with local customs and language.

Opportunity

With the luxury bus market projected to reach $115.8 billion by 2032, there’s a major opportunity to transform coach travel into a business-class experience for the UAE—offering real-time tracking, seamless booking, and premium comfort to meet the expectations of modern travelers.

Full Digital Integration

Bring coach travel into the 21st century with a modern, user-friendly app with instant booking, digital ticketing, and secure payments.

Premium Amenities

Offer spacious seating, onboard WiFi, refreshments, and entertainment to rival business-class travel.


Personalised Service

Implement AI-driven recommendations, loyalty perks, and concierge-style support for a tailored experience.

Ops Transparency

Provide accurate live updates to eliminate uncertainty and reduce passenger frustration.


Simplified Mobile Booking

Simplified Mobile Booking

A seamless, intuitive booking flow with smart suggestions, saved preferences, and one-tap checkout for a fast, frictionless reservation experience.

Clean, Modern UI

Smart location Suggestions

Streamlined checkouts

Progress Transparency

Progress Transparency

Real-time journey tracking keeps passengers informed with live location updates, estimated arrival times, and instant delay notifications for a stress-free ride.

With the luxury bus market projected to reach $115.8 billion by 2032, there’s a major opportunity to transform coach travel into a business-class experience for the UAE—offering real-time tracking.

Live Map Tracking

Delay Alerts

Speed & Distance Insights


AI Conceirge Integration

AI Conceirge Integration

A smart, on-demand assistant that handles travel queries, orders refreshments, books transport, and seamlessly connects with Abu Dhabi Mobility services for a fully integrated journey.

A smart, on-demand assistant that handles travel queries, orders refreshments, books transport, and seamlessly connects with Abu Dhabi Mobility services for a fully integrated journey.

24/7, On-Demand Assistance

24/7, On-Demand Assistance

Service & Booking Management

Service & Booking Management

Seamless App Integration


Seamless App Integration


Elevated User Journey

A thoughtfully crafted end-to-end journey built on seamless orchestration, personalization, and anticipation of user needs, ensuring luxury and ease at every touchpoint.

Seamless Orchestration

Seamless Orchestration

Personalized Flexibility

Personalized Flexibility

Anticipatory Service

Luxury isn’t just about comfort, it’s about effortlessness

Luxury coach travelers expect more than plush seating and premium amenities—they seek a seamless, stress-free journey from booking to arrival. Every interaction should reinforce exclusivity, from intuitive seat selection to effortless boarding.

👉 Example:


A first-class airline passenger doesn’t worry about logistics; their experience is curated. A luxury coach service should mirror that level of convenience, offering concierge-like digital booking, real-time trip updates, and personalized in-route services.

Premium passengers in the UAE demand personalization, not just prestige

Customers in the UAE aren’t just looking for luxury—they expect tailored experiences. Cultural preferences, premium hospitality standards, and multilingual support all play a role in shaping expectations.

👉 Example:


A high-net-worth traveler might expect an AI-powered assistant that remembers their preferred seating, beverage choices, and even preferred cabin temperature. Offering an ultra-personalized experience elevates the service beyond standard luxury.

Operational transparency is essential for alleviating friction.

High-end travelers expect real-time updates at every stage of their journey. Delays, estimated arrival times, and alternative routes must be surfaced proactively to eliminate uncertainty.

👉 Example:

👉 Example: A live map with real-time tracking, delay alerts, and speed insights ensures passengers stay informed, reducing frustration and reinforcing confidence in the service.

Without Transparency:
The user’s anxiety continues to increase because they don’t know what’s happening.

With Transparency:
Real-time updates (ETA, live tracking, delay alerts) keep the user informed, reducing frustration and any initial anxiety.

Measuring response

To validate the concept and usability of the service, we conducted a small-scale UX research study with 10 participants. Each participant interacted with a conceptual prototype, simulating key touchpoints such as booking, add-ons, concierge services, and onboard experiences.


We focused on qualitative feedback through task-based usability tests and semi-structured interviews, measuring:


Desirability & Adoption

Desirability & Adoption

Would users consider this over a regular coach or taxi?

Would users consider this over a regular coach or taxi?

Usability & Intuitiveness

Usability & Intuitiveness

Was the prototype easy to navigate?

Was the prototype easy to navigate?

Perceived Value of Features

Perceived Value of Features

Did users find the premium offerings compelling?

Did users find the premium offerings compelling?

Expectations vs. Reality

Expectations vs. Reality

Did the concept align with what users expected from luxury travel?

Did the concept align with what users expected from luxury travel?

Areas of Improvement

Areas of Improvement

What felt missing, concerning or unclear?

What felt missing, concerning or unclear?

Outcome

A data-driven evaluation of the early-stage prototype, balancing user needs with business objectives to refine the service offering and digital experience.

Desirability & Adoption

8/10

8/10

8/10

said they would consider using this service over a standard coach, particularly for business or leisure trips where comfort matters.

Usability & Intuitiveness

90%

90%

90%

found the digital prototype intuitive and clear

Top rated features

Pamper Mode perks

(welcome drink, pre-booked gourmet meals)

AI Concierge integration

(booking taxis, managing travel services)

Productive Mode features

(bookable workspaces, desktables, WiFi)

Areas of Improvement

Pricing transparency

Users wanted clearer tiered pricing for premium services vs. standard offerings.

Concierge expectations varied

Some users expected a more proactive experience with automated recommendations rather than manual input.

Importance of non essential features

There was varying willingness to pay for the features offered - Social Mode for group travel and onboard entertainment options were considered non essential.