How To Develop a Taxi Booking App And Its Development Cost & Timeline

In today's fast-paced world, people are constantly on the move, and transportation is an essential part of their daily lives. As a result, taxi booking apps have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient and quick way to get from one place to another. These apps have disrupted the traditional taxi industry, allowing customers to easily book rides and pay for them through their mobile devices.

For entrepreneurs and businesses, developing a taxi booking app can be a lucrative opportunity. However, it requires careful planning, design, and development to ensure that the app meets the needs of its target audience and provides a seamless user experience. The app should be designed with the user in mind, incorporating essential features such as GPS tracking, payment options, fare calculation, and driver ratings, among others.

In this article, we will explore the steps involved in developing a taxi booking app, from defining its purpose and target audience to designing the user interface and testing and launching the app. By following these steps, entrepreneurs and businesses can create a well-designed and functional app that attracts and retains users and helps them capitalize on the growing demand for on-demand transportation services.

 

What is a Taxi Booking App?

A taxi booking app is a mobile application that allows users to book and pay for taxi rides through their mobile devices. These apps have revolutionized the traditional taxi industry, providing a convenient and efficient way for customers to hail rides and for drivers to find and serve customers.

With a taxi booking app, users can easily find and book a ride, track the driver's location, and pay for the ride using a credit card or other digital payment methods. Users can also rate and review their driver and the overall experience, providing feedback that can improve the service for future users.

Taxi booking apps use GPS technology to track the user's location and match them with the nearest available driver. This provides a quicker response time and reduces wait times for customers. Additionally, drivers can use the app to track their earnings, manage their schedules, and communicate with customers.

Overall, taxi booking apps provide a convenient and efficient solution for both customers and drivers, revolutionizing the traditional taxi industry. These apps have become increasingly popular, with many different companies offering their own versions in markets around the world.

 

How does a taxi booking app work?

A taxi booking app works by using GPS technology to connect riders with available drivers in their area. The process typically involves several steps:

Registration:  To use a taxi booking app, users must first register with the app by providing their personal information, including their name, phone number, and payment information.

Booking a ride: Once registered, users can enter their pickup and drop-off locations to request a ride. The app uses GPS to identify the user's location and match them with the nearest available driver.

Driver acceptance:  When a driver receives a ride request, they can choose to accept or decline the ride. If they accept the ride, the user receives a notification with the driver's name, photo, and estimated time of arrival.

Tracking the ride:  The user can track the driver's location in real-time on a map within the app. The app also provides an estimated time of arrival for the driver.

Payment:  Once the ride is complete, the user can pay for the ride through the app using their registered payment method. The app usually allows users to rate the driver and provide feedback on the ride.

Driver earnings: The driver receives payment for the ride through the app, and the app typically takes a commission for facilitating the ride.

Taxi booking apps can also include additional features such as in-app messaging, ride history, and loyalty programs. These features can enhance the user experience and encourage repeat business.

Overall, a taxi booking app provides a convenient and efficient way for users to book and pay for rides, while also providing a source of income for drivers. The app uses GPS technology to match users with the nearest available driver, providing a quick response time and reducing wait times for riders.

 

Development steps for a taxi booking app

Step 1: The initial stage of our process involves a comprehensive consultation with the client to gain a thorough understanding of the project requirements. This will be followed by conducting in-depth industry analysis and evaluating the competitive landscape to ensure we address all needs.

Step 2: With the client's requirements in mind, our team will create a detailed wireframe of the app, outlining its structure and functionality.

Step 3: Upon completion of the wireframe, we will proceed to design the app's interface. We will use Invision to share the design with the client, allowing them to provide feedback and comments on each section of the interface.

Step 4: Once the client approves the design, we will move forward with the development of the Admin Panel, ensuring seamless management of the app's functionality.

Step 5: With the Admin Panel complete, our focus will shift to app development, starting with the Android version. Developing the Android app first allows for easier testing and deployment.

Step 6: After the development phase, we will present the completed system to the client for their evaluation and gather feedback for any necessary revisions or further development.

Step 7: Upon concluding the development stage, we will integrate the content provided by the client during the app's creation.

Step 8: Content integration will be followed by rigorous final testing, including security assessments, to ensure the app's performance and safety.

Step 9: Once the app has passed all tests, we will send the APK to the client and prepare the necessary design materials for APK publishing.

Step 10: After the successful approval and release of the Android app, we will commence development of the iOS version, ensuring a seamless experience across both platforms.

 

Some Popular Taxi Booking Apps in Dubai

There are several popular taxi booking apps available in Dubai, some of which are:

Careem

Careem is a popular ride-hailing app that operates across the Middle East, including Dubai. It was founded in Dubai in 2012 and has since expanded to over 100 cities in 14 countries. Careem offers a range of services, including taxis, cars with drivers, and delivery services.

To use Careem in Dubai, you first need to download the app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you've downloaded the app, you'll need to create an account and provide your payment details.

To book a ride, simply open the Careem app and enter your pickup location and destination. You can choose the type of vehicle you want to ride in, from a standard taxi to a luxury car. Once you've confirmed your ride, you'll be able to track your driver's location in real time and receive updates on their estimated time of arrival.

Careem also offers a rewards program called Careem Rewards, which allows users to earn points for every ride they take. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future rides, as well as other rewards such as free meals and shopping vouchers.

Overall, Careem is a convenient and reliable way to book a taxi or ride in Dubai, with a wide range of vehicles and services to choose from.

 

Uber

Uber is a popular ride-hailing app that operates in many cities worldwide, including Dubai. To use Uber in Dubai, you first need to download the Uber app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you've downloaded the app, you'll need to create an account and provide your payment details.

To book a ride with Uber, simply open the app and enter your pickup location and destination. You can choose the type of vehicle you want to ride in, from a standard taxi to a luxury car. Once you've confirmed your ride, you'll be able to track your driver's location in real time and receive updates on their estimated time of arrival.

Uber offers a range of services in Dubai, including UberX, UberSELECT, and UberBLACK. UberX is the standard ride option, while UberSELECT offers a more premium experience with higher-end vehicles. UberBLACK is the most luxurious option, with high-end vehicles and professional drivers.

In addition to its ride-hailing services, Uber also offers food delivery services in Dubai through its Uber Eats app. You can order food from a wide range of restaurants and cuisines through the app, and have it delivered to your doorstep.

Overall, Uber is a convenient and reliable way to book a ride or order food delivery in Dubai, with a wide range of services and options to choose from.

RTA Dubai Taxi

The RTA Dubai Taxi app is the official taxi booking app of the Dubai Taxi Corporation, which is operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This app allows users to book and track their taxi rides in Dubai.

To use the RTA Dubai Taxi app, you first need to download the app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you've downloaded the app, you'll need to create an account and provide your payment details.

To book a ride, simply open the RTA Dubai Taxi app and enter your pickup location and destination. You can choose the type of vehicle you want to ride in, from a standard taxi to a family van. Once you've confirmed your ride, you'll be able to track your driver's location in real time and receive updates on their estimated time of arrival.

The RTA Dubai Taxi app also offers features such as fare estimation, trip history, and the ability to save favorite locations. Users can rate their driver at the end of their ride and provide feedback on their experience.

Overall, the RTA Dubai Taxi app is a convenient and reliable way to book a taxi ride in Dubai, with a range of features and options to make your experience more seamless. As the app is operated by the official taxi service of Dubai, users can expect professional and reliable service.

Dubai Taxi Corporation

The Dubai Taxi Corporation is a subsidiary of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai and operates a fleet of taxis in the city. The Dubai Taxi Corporation offers both regular and luxury taxi services to customers in Dubai and has a mobile app that allows users to book and track their taxi rides.

To use the Dubai Taxi Corporation app, you first need to download the app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you've downloaded the app, you'll need to create an account and provide your payment details.

To book a ride, simply open the Dubai Taxi Corporation app and enter your pickup location and destination. You can choose the type of vehicle you want to ride in, from a standard taxi to a luxury vehicle. Once you've confirmed your ride, you'll be able to track your driver's location in real-time and receive updates on their estimated time of arrival.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation app also offers features such as fare estimation, trip history, and the ability to save favorite locations. Users can rate their driver at the end of their ride and provide feedback on their experience.

Overall, the Dubai Taxi Corporation app is a convenient and reliable way to book a taxi ride in Dubai, with a range of options to choose from. As the app is operated by the official taxi service of Dubai, users can expect professional and reliable service.

Mondo Ride

Mondo Ride is a ride-hailing app that operates in several cities in Africa and the Middle East, including Dubai. It offers a range of services, including taxis, private cars, and delivery services.

To use Mondo Ride in Dubai, you first need to download the app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you've downloaded the app, you'll need to create an account and provide your payment details.

To book a ride, simply open the Mondo Ride app and enter your pickup location and destination. You can choose the type of vehicle you want to ride in, from a standard taxi to a luxury car. Once you've confirmed your ride, you'll be able to track your driver's location in real time and receive updates on their estimated time of arrival.

Mondo Ride also offers features such as fare estimation, trip history, and the ability to save favorite locations. Users can rate their driver at the end of their ride and provide feedback on their experience.

Overall, Mondo Ride is a convenient and reliable way to book a taxi or ride in Dubai, with a range of services and options to choose from. As Mondo Ride operates in several cities in the region, it may be a good option for travelers who are visiting multiple cities.

 

Additional requirements for developing a taxi booking app

For developing a taxi booking app, there are some crucial requirements that are required for the app to function properly and serve certain purposes. We will discuss those requirements here:

Cloud hosting

Cloud hosting is a type of hosting that uses a network of virtual servers to store and deliver data, applications, and services over the internet. Unlike traditional hosting, where a website or application is hosted on a single physical server, cloud hosting utilizes a network of interconnected virtual servers that work together to deliver resources on demand.

 In cloud hosting, the resources such as processing power, memory, and storage are distributed among multiple servers, which enables the system to be highly scalable, reliable, and flexible. This means that the hosting provider can easily allocate more resources to an application or website as needed, depending on the demand or traffic.

Cloud hosting is a great option for a taxi booking app as it provides the scalability, reliability, and flexibility required to handle the variable demand and traffic associated with the taxi booking system.

Here are some of the key benefits of using cloud hosting for a taxi booking app:

Scalability: Cloud hosting allows for easy scaling of resources as your taxi booking app grows. You can quickly add more computing power, storage, and bandwidth to handle increased traffic and demand.

Reliability: Cloud hosting services are designed to be highly reliable, with multiple servers and data centers to ensure your app stays online and accessible to users. They also offer features like automatic backups and redundancy to protect against data loss.

Cost-effectiveness: Cloud hosting services often charge based on usage, allowing you to pay only for the resources you need. This can be more cost-effective than maintaining your own servers and infrastructure.

Security: Cloud hosting providers typically have robust security measures in place to protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access. They also offer tools and features to help you secure your app and data.

Flexibility: Cloud hosting allows you to easily deploy and manage your taxi booking app from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also integrate with other cloud services and tools to enhance your app's functionality.

Performance: Cloud hosting services often use advanced technologies like load balancing and content delivery networks (CDNs) to improve app performance and speed. This can help ensure a smooth and responsive user experience.

SMS Gateway

An SMS gateway is a service that enables businesses to send and receive SMS messages to and from mobile devices, typically via an API or web interface. For a food delivery app, an SMS gateway can be used to send order updates, delivery confirmations, and promotional messages to customers.

An SMS gateway can be an effective way to allow customers to book taxis by sending a text message. Here are the basic steps you can follow to set up an SMS gateway for taxi booking:

Choose an SMS gateway provider: There are many SMS gateway providers to choose from. Some popular options include SMS country, Etisalat, and ClickSend. Consider factors like pricing, reliability, and ease of integration when selecting a provider.

Integrate the SMS gateway with your taxi booking system: Work with your SMS gateway provider to integrate their API with your taxi booking system. This will enable your system to send and receive text messages through the gateway.

Create a booking flow: Define the booking flow that customers will follow when booking a taxi via SMS. This might include sending a message with their pickup location, destination, and desired time of pickup.

Set up automated responses: Create automated responses to confirm bookings, provide estimated pickup times, and notify customers of any delays or issues.

Monitor and optimize performance: Monitor your SMS gateway performance to ensure that messages are being sent and received reliably. Look for opportunities to optimize the booking flow based on customer feedback and usage data.

Overall, setting up an SMS gateway for taxi booking can be an effective way to provide customers with a convenient and easy-to-use booking option.

We can use any SMS gateway that you provide us or we can assist you in getting one like, etc.

Payment Gateway 

If you want to accept payments from customers using your taxi booking app, you will need to integrate a payment gateway. Here are the basic steps you can follow to set up a payment gateway for your taxi booking app:

Choose a payment gateway provider: There are many payment gateway providers to choose from. Some popular options include PayPal, Stripe, and Braintree. Consider factors like pricing, security, and ease of integration when selecting a provider.

Integrate the payment gateway with your app: Work with your payment gateway provider to integrate their API with your taxi booking app. This will enable your app to accept payments from customers.

Define the payment flow: Define the payment flow that customers will follow when paying for their taxi booking. This might include selecting a payment method, entering payment details, and confirming the payment.

Test the payment gateway: Before launching your app, test the payment gateway to ensure that it is functioning correctly. This will help to prevent any issues or errors that might arise when customers try to pay for their taxi booking.

Monitor and optimize performance: Monitor your payment gateway performance to ensure that payments are being processed correctly and securely. Look for opportunities to optimize the payment flow based on customer feedback and usage data.

Overall, integrating a payment gateway with your taxi booking app can be a key component in providing a seamless and convenient experience for your customers.

We have vast experience in integrating popular payment gateways such as Stripe, Checkout, Network International, Telr, Paytabs, Payfort, CC Avenue, or any other local bank gateways. Either you can approach us directly, or we can assist you with the same.

Development Cost of a Taxi Booking App

Development costs to make a taxi booking app in Dubai lie between AED 60,000 to AED 100,000. We can make your app at a very much affordable price adjusting your budget. Of course, the exact cost of development will vary depending on the features and functionalities of your app. 

There are several factors that can influence the development cost of a taxi booking app:

Features: The number and complexity of features that you want to include in the app can significantly impact the development cost. For example, features like real-time location tracking, payment integration, and push notifications will increase the cost.

Platform: The platform(s) you want to develop the app for can also affect the development cost. Developing for multiple platforms like Android and iOS will require more resources and will, therefore, be more expensive.

Design: The design of the app is also a crucial factor that can impact development cost. If you want to create a custom design that's unique and visually appealing, it will cost more than using pre-built design templates.

Development team: The cost of development will also depend on the size and location of the development team. Hiring an experienced team with a proven track record will cost more than hiring a less experienced team.

Infrastructure: The infrastructure needed to run the app, such as servers and databases, will also contribute to the development cost. The more complex the infrastructure, the more expensive it will be.

Integration: Integration with other services such as maps, payment gateways, and third-party APIs can also impact development costs.

Testing and Quality Assurance: The cost of testing and quality assurance is another factor that can influence development costs. The more rigorous and thorough the testing, the higher the cost will be.

Overall, the development cost of a taxi booking app can vary significantly based on these factors and the specific requirements of the project.

 

How Long Will It Take To Develop A Taxi Booking App

The development time for a taxi booking app can vary widely depending on the complexity of the features you want to include and the resources you have available. 

Here are some factors that can impact the development time:

Features and functionality: The more complex and advanced features and functionalities you want to include in your taxi booking app, the longer it will take to develop. For instance, if you want to integrate features such as real-time tracking, payment gateways, or advanced search and filtering options, it will take longer to develop.

Platform: Developing a taxi booking app for multiple platforms, such as Android and iOS, can take longer than developing for a single platform.

Technology stack: The technology stack you choose for your taxi booking app can impact development time. For instance, if you choose to develop your app using native technologies, it may take longer than using hybrid technologies.

Design: Creating a user-friendly and visually appealing design for your app can also impact development time. The more complex your design requirements are, the longer it will take to develop.

Integration with third-party services: Integrating your app with third-party services such as payment gateways, maps, or messaging services can also impact development time.

Team size and expertise: The size and expertise of your development team can also impact the development time of your taxi booking app. A larger team with more experience can complete the development process faster.

Testing and quality assurance: Testing and quality assurance are critical to the success of any app. Ensuring that your app is thoroughly tested and meets all quality standards can add to the development time.

Overall, the development time of a taxi booking app will depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the features, the technology stack, and the team size and expertise. Based on the factors stated above, we can estimate 6-12 weeks to complete the development of a taxi booking app.

 

Why Choose Royex Technologies for Taxi Booking App Development

Royex Technologies has been in the business since 2013 and has competent team members who have been developing projects for more than 300 clients to date, all over the world. We’re one of the best mobile app developers in Dubai, you can check our website and portfolio to see our previous works. 

Our team of developers has years of experience in mobile app development. We have worked on a variety of projects and know what it takes to build successful apps. We stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the industry to deliver the best results.

We understand that each client has unique needs and requirements. That's why we offer customized mobile app development services to cater to your specific needs. We work closely with you to understand your goals and provide solutions that fit your requirements.

We have some unique offerings that make us stand out among our competitors:

Dedicated support team in Dubai:  Our support team in Dubai will provide round-the-clock trackable support to our clients.

Post-delivery maintenance: We offer post-delivery maintenance to ensure that the app functions correctly, is secure, and provides a good user experience. 

Annual Maintenance Contract: Our (AMC) outlines the terms of ongoing maintenance and support for the app. This contract is usually signed after the initial development of the app is complete and the app is launched.

Additional value that you will get from Royex to make your app a success:

Investors Club: Royex Investors Club provides a platform for investors to connect, and create investment propositions with emerging and prospective tech startups.

Apps Marketing: Our marketing agency can help you get the required engagement and reach for your mobile app.

Business Strategies: We will provide support to collab with 3rd party companies to provide business strategies that will support your app’s growth and success.

Intellectual property & patent services: Intellectual property (IP) and patents are essential for protecting the rights of creators and inventors. IP rights provide legal protection for various forms of creative and innovative works, including inventions, designs, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. We can help with acquiring IPs for your app.

Attractive discounts: We actively collaborate with several delivery companies, payment gateways, and hosting services. So you can avail discounts for these services when working with us. 

Contact us via email at info@royex.net or call us at +971566027916 with your requirements. Let’s make it happen.