We tried Rush PH, a web-based app that gives train ETAs—here's what happened
A Gen Z developer and commuter created a web-based application that provides the estimated times of arrival of LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 trains.
Joshua Bumanlag, a computer science major who graduated magna cum laude at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, created Rush PH, which he calls a "passion project."
Through Rush PH, which is accessible here, users can check train stations from a drop-down menu. Upon choosing one, they can see the ETA (estimated time of arrival) expressed in minutes, based on schedules and real-time reports from other commuters. They can also check a map of the train lines.
Bumanlag, who has participated in several hackathons, told PhilSTAR L!fe that he took inspiration from his trips to Thailand and Singapore, whose transit systems include ETAs of the next available train.
"Inisip ko, bakit wala tayong ganito sa Pilipinas?" he said. "Bakit kailangan pa nating hintayin nang walang timers or estimators or whatsoever."
He then began his survey among commuters, including fellow students and senior citizens.
Though it took him only four days to finish Rush PH, he worked on it in a staggered manner, especially since he has a full-time job as an iOS developer at ING, a multinational banking and financial services company.
"I'm just doing this during my free time and during weekends. Doon ako talaga nakakabuhos ng energy," Bumanlag said. "Of course, while I'm developing, I'm also validating my problem. I'm also interviewing."
What made the completion of Rush PH even more challenging was that he started from scratch, in terms of data.
"I think that's the hardest problem na maeencounter ng every developer. Having no data means you need to create your own data. Doon na pumasok ang major ko... which requires a lot of math," he said, adding that he also used ChatGPT and other AI tools to help validate his assumptions about different scenarios.
Simplicity is key
Bumanlag is a firm believer in less being more. Rush PH has a simple user interface with black, blue, and white tones and basic font face. It doesn't have images and other elaborate graphics. It runs on the web browser of virtually any phone—even those that have low specifications—and always fits the screen.
The only real requirement for using the app is an internet connection, and mobile data suffices.
When he got a comment on why the app only has a timer, he said it's precisely the point. "I didn't want this application to be a one-size-fits-all application na dapat nandito rin ito, nandito rin 'yan."
Though the likes of Google Maps give ETAs of trains through real-time transit data feeds and historical travel patterns—leading to Bumanlag receiving questions like "Bakit kailangan pa natin gumawa nito?"—he noted that there are situations when there are glitches and train breakdowns, adding that it's only reports on the ground that can address such.
Since it works just as fine on the web browser, Bumanlag didn't have to turn Rush PH into a mobile app, eliminating the need for downloads and platform-specific versions. He made sure it would be easily accessible to the general public.
"As an iOS developer, what I learned in work is it should be mobile accessible. Meaning, it should work for everyone," he said. "'Yun din ang nag-udyok sa akin kung bakit hindi ko siya pinupush sa App Store at Play Store."
"Talagang iisa lang 'yung purpose niya, and that's what makes it very, very useful. It's very easy to navigate for our fellow commuters na hindi talaga tech-savvy, like our older demographic," he added.
PhilSTAR L!fe tries Rush PH
Bumanlag noted that he cannot ensure the app has 100% accuracy, especially since it's still in its early stages. To date, it's 82% accurate, which is already a significant improvement from the 77% accuracy it had during its launch.
"May nilagay akong tables, may nilagay akong mga analytics na makakapaghelp sa akin to determine how we should be accurate, as much as we can," he said.
PhilSTAR L!fe tried the app to see things for ourselves by riding two trains each from the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 stations. As we reached the respective platforms, we opened Rush PH through a smartphone, which has Android as an operating system.
We took the train from the United Nations station to Doroteo Jose station on LRT-1 past 3:30 p.m., when the rush hour was just getting started. Afterward, we transferred to LRT-2 and had a ride from Recto Station to Araneta Center-Cubao Station. Later on, we moved to MRT-3 and had a ride from Araneta Center-Cubao station to Ortigas station.
Having tried one train for all three stations, we went back to take one ride per station.
We had a trip from Ortigas Station to Taft Station before transferring to LRT-1 and riding from EDSA-Taft Station to Doroteo Jose Station.
Afterward, we went to LRT-2 and took our final ride from Recto Station to Pureza Station before taking a tricycle home.
We observed that for the five out of six trains we took, they arrived in a minute or two, despite the app stating that it may take up to six minutes.
It was during the last train ride from Recto station past 6 p.m. when we got the "No trains currently en route" message, stating that the ETA was five to 10 minutes. Commuters were quickly populating the station's platform. After four minutes, an empty train greeted the thickening crowd, which quickly filled it up seconds after the doors opened.
Our Rush PH use wasn't too shabby, with our first impression of it being easy to navigate, even if we were using a modest phone powered by mobile data.
The trains arrived earlier than they should. Though it was a one-time use and mostly led to the trains already being there just moments after using the app, it doesn't diminish the app's usefulness, especially for the majority of commuters.
Community-powered app
Since the app is designed to help commuters, Bumanlag noted that it's also them who sustain Rush PH through its report feature, which helps refine the accuracy of the trains' ETAs.
But to avoid false data, reporting can only be done by users who log in with their verified emails.
During reports, they give information about the train line, station, direction, its status of being on-time/delayed/cancelled, and its crowd level of being empty/moderate/crowded/packed.
"For example, dumating ka na sa Vito Cruz station. Irereport ko na 'yung southbound train for Vito Cruz andito na. That's one feature na talagang mag-eensure there is accuracy in the first place," he said.
Moreover, the crowd-powered reporting system, according to Bumanlag, can be considered the app's greatest feature since it fosters a bayanihan spirit. "Sana matulungan niyo ako magreport kasi you're not just helping yourself, but you're helping other commuters as well," he said. "You can (also) say na, 'Uy, ako 'yung reason bakit accurate dito sa station na 'to, kasi lagi akong nagrereport from this station.' So, may legacy ka na rin from that one."
Bumanlag shared a core memory when he was developing Rush PH. He recalled an elderly woman getting curious about the app while he was testing it on his way to work.
"Sinabi niya, 'Toy, para saan 'yan?' Sabi ko, 'Para po malaman niyo kung kailan dadating 'yung tren.' Hiningi niya 'yung link, tapos sinend niya sa mga kazumba niya. Doon ako pinakanatutuwa, kasi may GC pa sila," he said. "That means my problem is really for everyone and not just for us mga Gen Zs and all. It's for everyone."
Users may also report bugs they may encounter under the settings tab. Bumanlag has since addressed concerns that were raised, like problems with scrolling.
"Talagang inayos ko siya, so I'm very, very thankful for all of the feedback, the comments. Through that, nakapag-iterate ako to a much better version and much more stable one," he said.
Future of Rush PH
Bumanlag said that he may consider putting Rush PH on the App Store and Play Store in the future, "if time permits," especially since he's the sole developer and a lot of resources are needed to put it out on the market.
"It's gonna require me a lot of time as well," he said. "But yes, it's definitely on the roadmap for Rush PH."
In the meantime, Bumanlag said he's researching about using Rush PH for the EDSA Carousel.
"Ngayon, sinisimulan ko na 'yung pag-rollout sa kaniya. Hopefully, ma-rollout natin siya by the end of October or earlier," he said, adding that he'll move to the provincial buses next.
"Let's see. Hopefully, magkaroon tayo ng good feedback," he said. "Para magamit naman siya ng mga nasa outside Metro Manila, 'di ba?
Right now, Bumanlag isn't running ads on the website as it can get the ire of users. He admitted to getting frustrated when browsing the web, only to get hampered by ads.
But he said he's getting messages from potential sponsors.
"'Yung iba gusto magdonate, so sabi ko, 'Sure po ba kayo.' Nirereinvest ko lang din siya sa site, 'yung pagbuy ng domain. Pero mostly talaga, it's all from my pocket money, since I really want to help the Filipino commuters," he said.
"Sa sobrang hirap ng buhay ngayon," he added, "dapat pagaanin na natin ang isang parte ng proseso ng buhay na 'yun."
