Story of KRAIL: An Ad-Free Sydney Transport App

The freedom of working from home during COVID was incredible. But when the shift back to the office began and I stepped onto the train, reality hit hard. It wasn't just the inconvenience of leaving home; it was the realisation that the public transport apps I relied on hadn't moved an inch. 

They felt like relics: ancient UIs, confusing navigation, and screens crammed full of ads, unless you paid a subscription. Even worse, paying customers were denied basics like Dark Mode, and crucial accessibility features (large font size, color contrast). I often saw older people, especially those with poor vision, struggling to find the right information because the apps couldn't properly adapt. This is unacceptable.

I kept thinking: In 2025, is this truly the best we have?

It became clear: it is absolutely not okay to use a tool so critical to your daily life that is only offering a mediocre experience. I wasn't just looking for information; I was looking for an experience that respected my time and my sanity. Since I couldn't find an app that was fast, reliable, accessible, fun, and meticulously engineered to my standard, I realized I only had one choice. I did what any engineer obsessed with a huge, unsolved problem would do: I decided to build it myself.

This is the story behind KRAIL.

KRAIL began as a full-blown obsession, a late-night, weekend mission. The true first step was deep, relentless research. I dove into the transport APIs, downloaded every competing app, and talked to regular commuters to understand their highest priorities and deepest frustrations. Then, I started sketching wireframes in Figma.

This wasn't just about building another transport app; it was a crusade for superior user experience (UX). I sacrificed weekends and slept little, meticulously planning every color, every space, every single detail. I became the person talking about KRAIL at parties, striking up conversations with random strangers on the train to discover what truly worked and what didn't. This intense effort led to conversations with over 200 daily commuters over the past months. Their collective frustration wasn't just helpful feedback; it was the unwavering, non-negotiable roadmap that drove KRAIL forward.

To achieve the high quality and threshold I had set for myself, I had to redefine even the most simple features.

Take the journey card, for example. It must clearly display critical information: departure time, platform number, walking minutes, delays, and interchanges. But when you need to see more detail, most apps simply send you to a new screen. This shatters your focus and makes comparing multiple trip options impossible.

My solution was a non-negotiable design rule: when you tap a trip card, it expands instantly, right in place. This allows you to effortlessly compare multiple trip options side-by-side.

My obsession extended everywhere. I wove the vibrant colors of Sydney’s network (Metro, Train, Bus, Ferry) into the app’s themes, offering dynamic Light and Dark Modes that adapt intelligently for perfect contrast. Even the smallest touches, like fun, festive loading animations, we recently celebrated Halloween with a pumpkin emoji, to make your daily commute a little more delightful and involved in the community.

Did this make the engineering harder? Absolutely. But the rule at KRAIL is simple: If it makes the user's life simpler and more delightful, I will solve the engineering problem. I always prioritize the user experience first and then backtrack the engineering roadmap.

The real test came when I launched the functional beta. When my friends’ daily routines began to depend on KRAIL, I knew it was time. I launched on both the iOS and Android app stores, transforming a personal fix into a world-class product for Sydney commuters.

The moment people started relying on KRAIL daily, the feeling shifted to a deep sense of real responsibility. When people depend on the app to get to work or pick up their kids on time, there is zero room for error. Even the smallest issue can cause a user to switch back. I know I’m up against giants like Google Maps, TripView, and Opal, and the window to impress is tiny.

This intense pressure is what fuels our commitment to flawless accuracy and seamless performance. This is more than just an app; it is my unwavering commitment to making your Sydney commute genuinely better.

Currently, KRAIL is fueled entirely by my personal expenses and dedication. While this allows for the pristine, ad-free experience we demand, it also creates a unique challenge. Resource-heavy features like push notifications and in-app maps require significant investment. I am actively seeking necessary means to introduce these features, but I assure you: they will not come at the cost of the intrusive ads this app was built to avoid. UX remains my first priority.

Though it is challenging to innovate and improve without external funding, I will keep trying my best. I've received requests from users asking how they can donate, but there is no donation setup yet.

The only way you can truly help KRAIL grow right now is by sharing your support:

• Share the app with friends and colleagues.

• Follow on social media and keep the conversation going by liking, commenting, and sharing your thoughts.

The journey to building a world-class product is never finished. Your support builds the community needed to elevate the Sydney transport experience together. 

Try the app on iOS and Android today, and join the community that is defining the future of transport in Sydney. Your feedback is the most critical fuel for our roadmap. You can reach out directly via email at hey@krail.app, or find us on Reddit and LinkedIn.

Let’s KRAIL 🚀