Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a communication system that can be configured to receive a request for a service from a user device associated with a user, transmit details about a specific service provider for the requested service to the user device, and receive an identification of a service provider from the user device subsequent to the transmitting of the details. The communication system can be configured to provide a first user notification in response to determining that the identified service provider is the specific service provider for the requested service. The communication system can be configured to provide a second user notification in response to determining that the identified service provider is not the specific service provider.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises determining, based on one or more metrics indicative of passenger demand and driver supply associated with a transportation service, to send a first minimum fare offer to a first driver, the first minimum fare offer specifying a first minimum amount of compensation to be provided to the first driver for a first time period; tracking compensation accrued by the first driver during the first time period for servicing at least one ride for the transportation service; and determining compensation for the driver for the first time period, wherein the determined compensation is the greater of the first minimum amount of compensation specified in the first minimum fare offer and the tracked compensation accrued by the first driver during the first time period for servicing the at least one ride for the transportation service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating drivers to passengers based on trustworthiness ratings are provided. One example method includes receiving, by a transportation system, a request for transportation from a user and determining a trustworthiness rating of the user. The method further includes matching the user to a driver in a pool of drivers based on the trustworthiness rating of the user and dispatching the driver to fulfill the request. The method may further include matching a trusted driver or a driver with a high trustworthiness rating to the user when the request for transportation from the user is a first-time request for transportation or the user has a lower trustworthiness rating. Systems and at least one computer-readable non-transitory media including one or more instructions for performing the above method are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes generating, by a first transportation service, a first route based on a transportation request. The method further includes providing, to a computing device, first navigation information based on the first route to direct the computing device to service the transportation request. The method further includes generating, based on second transportation service data received from a second transportation service, a second route corresponding to the transportation request. The second route includes a first segment to be serviced by the computing device of the first transportation service using a first transportation vehicle and a second segment to be serviced by the second transportation service using a second transportation vehicle. The method further includes providing, by the first transportation service, second navigation information to the computing device to direct the computing device to service the first segment of the second route.

Abstract: In one embodiment a first transportation request is received at a backend server from a first device dedicated solely to functions associated with a transportation service, wherein the first device sends the first transportation request in response to a user pressing a button of the first device, wherein direct user input to the first device is limited to one or two buttons. In response to receiving the first transportation request, an account of the user is accessed to identify a geographical location associated with the first device. A driver associated with the transportation service is navigated to pick up the user at the geographical location associated with the first device.

Abstract: In one embodiment an event likely to be attended by a plurality of users of a taxi service is identified. A location of the event is determined and an end time of the event is estimated. Prior to the end time of the event, a plurality of drivers associated with the taxi service are directed to drive to the location of the event to transport passengers from the location of the event.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a corresponding location and corresponding device activity information of user devices and selecting a subset of the user devices that are within a threshold distance of each other. The method further includes, responsive to determining that a cumulative likelihood value of at least one of the subset of the user devices transmitting a transportation request is higher than a threshold likelihood value, determining a first location based on the corresponding location and the corresponding device activity information of each of the subset of the user devices. The method further includes transmitting navigation instructions to a driver device to cause the driver device to navigate towards the first location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processing device over a network from a driver computing device, a driver destination location and a scheduled arrival time; and determining, based on historical data, a plurality of likelihoods corresponding to a plurality of passenger pick-up regions. Each of the plurality of likelihoods is a corresponding likelihood of the driver computing device arriving at the driver destination location by the scheduled arrival time after completing transportation of a passenger from a corresponding passenger pick-up region. The method further includes: selecting, based on the plurality of likelihoods, a first passenger pick-up region; and providing, by the processing device over the network to the driver computing device, navigational data to direct a driver corresponding to the driver computing device to the first passenger pick-up region.

Abstract: In one embodiment a pickup location and a destination location associated with a subscriber to a first transportation service are accessed. A first route from the pickup location to the destination location is identified, the first route comprising a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a driver of the first transportation service using a first type of transportation vehicle, and wherein a second segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a second transportation service using a second type of transportation vehicle. The driver of the first transportation service is directed to service the first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises determining, based on one or more metrics indicative of passenger demand and driver supply, to send a first idle mode offer to a first driver, the first idle mode offer specifying compensation to be provided to the first driver for maintaining availability to service a transportation request for the transportation service; sending the first idle mode offer to the first driver; sending a transportation request to the first driver while the first driver is maintaining availability in accordance with the first idle mode offer; and providing an indication of a compensation amount to be awarded to the first driver in accordance with the first idle mode offer, the compensation amount based on a time that the first idle mode offer was accepted by the first driver and a time at which the transportation request was sent to the first driver.

Abstract: In one embodiment a queue of drivers for a particular area is maintained, wherein the queue specifies an order in which drivers are selected for transportation requests from the particular area. A driver is selected from the queue for a first transportation request from the particular area. A placement of the driver within the queue of drivers is determined based on at least one characteristic of the first transportation request. An indication of the placement of the driver within the queue of drivers is communicated to a computing device associated with the driver.

Abstract: In one embodiment information regarding device activity of first subscriber to a transportation service is received. A backend server determines independent of a pending transportation request from the first passenger and based at least on the information regarding the device activity of the first subscriber, to send a driver towards a location based on the location of the first subscriber.

Abstract: In one embodiment an indication of a driver destination location is received from a driver associated with a taxi service. The driver destination location specifies a location that the driver desires to travel to after transporting one or more passengers. A passenger pick-up location of a first passenger is provided. The first passenger is selected based on the driver destination location and a destination location specified by the first passenger.

Abstract: In one embodiment a first transportation request is received at a backend server from a first device dedicated solely to functions associated with a transportation service, wherein the first device sends the first transportation request in response to a user pressing a button of the first device, wherein direct user input to the first device is limited to one or two buttons. In response to receiving the first transportation request, an account of the user is accessed to identify a geographical location associated with the first device. A driver associated with the transportation service is navigated to pick up the user at the geographical location associated with the first device.

Abstract: In one embodiment a pickup location and a destination location associated with a subscriber to a first transportation service are accessed. A first route from the pickup location to the destination location is identified, the first route comprising a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a driver of the first transportation service using a first type of transportation vehicle, and wherein a second segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a second transportation service using a second type of transportation vehicle. The driver of the first transportation service is directed to service the first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a communication system that can be configured to receive a request for a service from a user device associated with a user, transmit details about a specific service provider for the requested service to the user device, and receive an identification of a service provider from the user device subsequent to the transmitting of the details. The communication system can be configured to provide a first user notification in response to determining that the identified service provider is the specific service provider for the requested service. The communication system can be configured to provide a second user notification in response to determining that the identified service provider is not the specific service provider.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a server comprising at least one processor, a transportation request from a computing device of a passenger, the transportation request specifying a pickup location; and determining, by the server, a surge pricing multiplier and a surge pricing cap for the transportation request based on the pickup location, the surge pricing cap representing a maximum amount of a fare for the transportation request that is subject to a surge pricing surcharge.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a communication system that can be configured to receive a request for a service from a user, communicate to the user details about a specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service, determine a location of the user using a location module, and notify the user when the user is proximate to the specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service. Further, the communication system can be configured to notify the user when the user is not proximate to the specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service. In an example, the specific service provider is a transportation provider.

Abstract: In one embodiment a first transportation request is received from a computing device of a member of an organization. It is determined that the first transportation request is authorized according to preapproval criteria associated with a travel account of the member of the organization, wherein the travel account is funded by the organization. The first transportation request is communicated to a transportation service provider to service the transportation request.

Abstract: In one embodiment a pickup location and a destination location associated with a subscriber to a first transportation service are accessed. A first route from the pickup location to the destination location is identified, the first route comprising a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a driver of the first transportation service using a first type of transportation vehicle, and wherein a second segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a second transportation service using a second type of transportation vehicle. The driver of the first transportation service is directed to service the first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route.