Summary of interviews and direct observations

We conducted interviews during the ferry trip from Slussen to Djugarden in order to get data to improve travelling experience of ferry trip. These data will help us understand the need of possible customers in the design project.

We conduct interviews as participant observers and we use audio recording as our means of data recording. Since we did not do interviews on the same day, many conditions vary, such as weather, number of people on board, day of the week. Furthermore, we use interviews as technique for data gathering, so the data we obtained falls into the “qualitative data” category.

We have interviewed six families travelling with their kids, plus the captain.

Out of the six families we interviewed, only one of them are international tourists, the others are all local to Stockholm or at least local to Sweden. Most of them travelled with an SL card, either monthly or daily, and had their tickets dealt with before reaching the ferry platform. The main reason for almost all families chose the ferry trip is because their children enjoy the view, Another one is that taking ferry is faster than the other transports.

Most families we had interviewed suggested that a toilet on the ferry would be convenient, since unlike adults, a ten-minute trip is terribly long for children with call of nature.

However, when we interviewed the captain, we were informed that this debate had been for years, and the cost-benefit analysis suggested that it is not worthwhile to add a toilet to a ferry with such short trip.

Before the interview, we had been concerned that a belt to fasten strollers might be needed. However, during our interview, only one family agreed that it would be necessary. We used to have that idea because we can usually see one in the waterway transportation.

We can see from one interview that, some people said the destination is a little bit confused because there may be multiple destination for a ferry. They mentioned that they should be aware of the broadcasting all the time. And if it is on weekends, the ferry will be really crowded and noisy. Thus it may be hard for them to catch the broadcasting. Definitely, this phenomenon is more severe for the tourists since the broadcasting is just in Swedish.

Most local families did not exactly plan their travel -- they just get aboard to Djugarden to see what’s there to offer today. This way, it would be helpful if there are posters of current activities in Djugarden, rather than information on the SL ferry route.

Several families got to Slussen by public transportation and likely went home the same way. it would be more convenient if there is a LED screen updating timetables of commuter tubes/buses/trams etc.

There were one family demanding somewhere that sells food and water on the ferry. Maybe vending machines selling sodas, snacks or even souvenirs can be added.

Requirements after 1st Iteration
schedules of ferry and commuting vehicles
activities in Djugarden
vending machines
better ways to enjoy the view
interaction between passengers