Transit Stats App

As a daily Chicago CTA rider, I wanted to track my own transit data accurately, but nothing existed to do it. So I built Transit Stats, the first app designed to turn public transit rides into meaningful personal analytics. From concept to App Store launch in four months, I designed the brand, all the UI/UX, and website while writing the backend code as well as the frontend code with the help of AI tools.

Role
Founder, Product Designer
Years
2025-2026
Scope
Strategy, UI/UX Design, Branding
Transit Stats — live ride tracking
Transit Stats — this week at a glance
Transit Stats — coverage map
Transit Stats — stats and achievements

Challenge

Public transit generates an enormous amount of data, yet almost none of it ever reaches the rider. As a daily CTA commuter, I had no way to track my trips, measure my impact, or understand my habits over time. I wanted to take Chicago’s overlooked transit data and make it personal, useful, and fun.

Impact

1,500+

Users Acquired

100+ Premium Users

Paying for Pro

400+

Daily Active Users

4.7/5 Rating

On the App Store

Data

0

Rides Taken

0

Miles Traveled

0

Hours Recorded

Design Process

The app design evolved from early sketches to two rounds of wireframes before reaching the final polished UI. This progression shows the refinement and thinking that shaped Transit Stats from concept to launch-ready product.

Transit Stats design process — sketch to final UI

Key Experiences

Website

The marketing site had to explain the app clearly and simply as well as turn visitors into downloads. I designed and built it to carry the brand identity through every piece of the site.

Branding, Marketing, & Advertising

I designed the brand and marketing presence, from the logo, palette, and typography to advertising built to drive downloads.

Brand system — logo, palette, and typography
App Store screenshots
Advertising creative — CTA transit analytics made personal

Surprise Appearance on the Chicago News

Transit Stats caught the attention of local media, earning a spot on Fox 32 Chicago. I sat down on-air to talk about the app, the story behind it, and what it means for the city’s transit riders.

Charles on-air on Fox 32 Chicago talking about Transit Stats