A multi-platform journey planning ecosystem featuring native mobile applications and a web portal designed to promote sustainable travel and active lifestyles across Kent.
What we did
- Native iOS and Android application development
- Custom web development and WordPress integration
- Engineering of a bespoke multi-modal routing engine
- Implementation of eco-friendly and active travel route logic
- UI/UX design focused on accessibility and public sector standards
- Continuous technical maintenance and platform scaling since 2017
About the project
Kent Connected is a flagship initiative by Kent County Council (KCC) aimed at empowering residents and visitors to make smarter travel choices. In an era of increasing urban congestion and environmental concern, the project serves as a comprehensive tool to help people find the most efficient, healthiest, and greenest ways to navigate the county. Whether it is a daily commute or a weekend explore, Kent Connected provides the data necessary to choose walking, cycling, or public transport over single-occupancy vehicle use.
Tinderhouse was commissioned by the Council to bring this vision to life through a coordinated digital strategy. This involved building a suite of tools that work in harmony: a high-performance WordPress website and native mobile apps for both major platforms. Our approach to native app development ensured that users on the move have access to real-time data and GPS-guided routing that is as reliable as any commercial navigation tool.
To manage the project's scope effectively, we utilised an MVP development strategy during the initial phase. This allowed us to launch core routing features and public transport data quickly, providing immediate utility to the public. By adopting a minimum viable product strategy, KCC was able to gather real-world usage data to inform the development of more advanced features, such as the eco-friendly route suggestions and fitness tracking integrations. This phased rollout ensured the platform's stability and high user satisfaction from day one.
The Challenge
Kent County Council faced several significant hurdles in their mission to modernise public travel information. The project needed to overcome several critical pain points:
- Fragmented Information: Travel data for Kent was scattered across multiple provider websites, making it difficult for users to compare different modes of transport in one place.
- Encouraging Behavioural Change: Moving people away from car dependency required more than just data; it needed a platform that actively highlighted the health and environmental benefits of active travel.
- Complex Routing Requirements: Building a routing engine that can accurately calculate paths for walking, cycling, bus, and rail simultaneously—while prioritising "green" routes—is a significant technical challenge.
- Public Sector Accessibility: As a government-funded project, the apps and website had to meet strict accessibility standards to ensure no citizen was excluded from using the service.
- Long-Term Reliability: The platform required a partner capable of providing continuous maintenance and updates to keep up with changing transport networks and mobile OS versions.
- Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring that a user would get the same high-quality routing experience whether they were on a desktop at home or using a smartphone at a bus stop.
Our Solution
High-Performance Native Applications
We developed native apps for both iOS and Android to provide the most responsive and feature-rich experience possible. Using our expertise in iOS app development services and Android engineering, we integrated device-specific features such as location services and haptic feedback for navigation. The native approach allows the app to handle complex map rendering and real-time data refreshes with minimal latency, ensuring that users can rely on the app even when they are in areas of the county with fluctuating mobile data.
Bespoke Multi-Modal Routing Engine
The heart of the Kent Connected platform is a custom-engineered routing engine. Unlike standard navigation tools that often default to the fastest driving route, our engine allows users to filter by "active" and "eco-friendly" options. We integrated data feeds from various transport operators to provide a seamless door-to-door journey plan. This complex web development work on the WordPress side ensured that the web portal remained just as powerful as the mobile apps, providing a unified source of truth for travel planning across the county.
Active Travel and Fitness Integration
To support the Council's health initiatives, we built features that highlight the benefits of walking and cycling. The platform provides estimated calorie burn and CO2 savings for every journey plan. By integrating these metrics, we transformed a simple utility into a lifestyle tool that encourages users to get fit while they commute. This project is a prime example of our government public sector app development work, where the technology serves a broader social and environmental purpose.
Continuous Maintenance and Evolution
Since the initial launch in 2017, Tinderhouse has remained the dedicated partner for Kent Connected. We provide ongoing support to ensure the apps remain compatible with the latest mobile hardware and operating systems. This long-term relationship has allowed us to iteratively improve the platform, adding new features such as real-time bus tracking and enhanced cycling infrastructure maps. This commitment to longevity is a core part of our service as mobile app developers, ensuring that public sector investments continue to deliver value for years.
The Results
Kent Connected has become an essential tool for thousands of residents, significantly contributing to the Council's sustainable transport goals.
High User Adoption: The apps have seen consistent growth in downloads, becoming a top-rated resource for travel in the Southeast.
Quantifiable CO2 Reduction: By encouraging greener travel choices, the platform has played a measurable role in reducing the carbon footprint of local commuters.
Operational Stability: Since 2017, Tinderhouse has maintained near-100% uptime, ensuring the public always has access to vital travel information.
Award-Winning Collaboration: The project has been recognised for its innovation in promoting active travel and digital public services.
Empowered Citizens: Users now have the confidence to explore alternative transport methods, knowing they have a reliable, multi-modal guide in their pocket.
Technical Highlights
Mobile Platforms: Native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) for maximum performance.
Web Framework: Custom WordPress build with advanced API integrations.
Routing Technology: Custom multi-modal engine supporting rail, bus, cycle, and walking data.
API Integrations: Real-time data feeds from transport providers and environmental impact databases.
Compliance: Fully WCAG 2.1 compliant for public sector accessibility.
Maintenance: Ongoing CI/CD pipeline for regular feature updates and security patches.
Looking for a Long-Term Development Partner?
Whether you need a native application for the public sector or a minimum viable product strategy for a new commercial tool, our Kent-based team delivers. We specialise in building and maintaining high-impact digital products that stand the test of time.