Taxi Booking App Similar to Uber

About the Client

The client is a central Asia based startup that aims to create a taxi booking application similar to Uber. The three major users of this platform would be the rider, the driver and the admin. Hence, different applications had to be created to meet the client expectations.

About the Project

The project is to develop a complete taxi booking platform which is similar to that of Uber. The platform should be able to provide – Multiple mobile platform support, with real-time tracking of drivers, surge pricing, intelligent fare calculation, heat maps for high activity areas for drivers, rider and driver ratings. The platform required mobile applications for both driver and ride-taker & admin portal to onboard drivers, manage users and key dashboards.

Challenges

The following are the features required for this Taxi booking platform;

Customer should be able to select the pickup location from the map
View available taxis nearby and the driver details
The customer should be able to track the taxi on the map and receive the estimated time of arrival, the estimated rate, terms and condition of using the service
Customer should be able to select the destination from the map
Multiple payment options -using credit card, cash by hand
Send the journey details as message to predefined numbers
Advance booking of trips
The passenger can add their favourite driver and option to block a driver to avoid hiring the same driver if the user had an unpleasant experience
Should be able to call or to chat with customers or with admin, if required
Customers can view journey history, this is an important feature to evaluate the driver, which will enhance service reliability.
Application show surge pricing during peak
Customers should be able to submit feedback on driver, cab or regarding application

Implementation

The platform requires a customized approach to the popular cab booking applications, basic features were first identified by our analysts and then additional functionalities were narrowed down.

Basic features of the passenger app include;

Register/login: email and/or social media login option, accounts, credit cards, payment processing
Booking interface: a screen to enter the address to call a taxi to, select a cab type (or specific driver), set a location for pickup
Tracking: to track driver’s location, to make updates during or after a ride, etc.
Price calculator: to check the estimated cost of a ride from point A to point B with certain cab type even before ordering
Payments: cashless and in-app, paid automatically via credit card, users receive an invoice to phone and email, or just plain cash
Push notifications: to keep users updated on order status, estimated time of taxi arrival, and other details like car model, license plate, etc.
Messaging, ratings & reviews, booking history.

Basic features of driver app include;

Register/profile/status: with identity verification and approval by an administrator, plus online status and schedule
Booking: with options to accept or deny the incoming order, info on customer location and destination of a ride visible instantly, plus booking history
Push notifications: for order alerts, taxi booking data (location, payment, route, etc.), for order updates and/or completion
Navigation: using Maps to get optimal directions to a customer and to his destination, could be voiced
Cost estimation, reports, messaging, support.

Admin application has the following features;

Onboard drivers and verify their accounts information
Manage users and complaint redressal of customers
Dashboard with all key functionalities including location analysis of users and drivers.