What Is an Operating Area?

An operating area is a circular zone defined by a central point (Base) and a radius (in miles or kilometers). Bookings that start or end within this area are considered standard and are processed with your regular pricing and availability settings.

How to Set Up an Operating Area

  1. Navigate to: Dispatch Panel → Settings → Operating Areas.

  2. Set the Base Location:

    • Enter the full address of your base (e.g., "1 Oxford Street, London W1D 2DH, UK").

    • Ensure the address is correctly formatted to work with Google Geocode Service.

  3. Define the Radius:

    • Specify the radius around the base in miles or kilometers.

  4. Save the Operating Area.

Note: Proper address formatting is crucial. Incorrect addresses may lead to issues with location detection in the booking form, potentially causing messages like “We are sorry, but we do not serve in this area.” Avoid using non-standard characters (e.g., ., _) in addresses.

Handling Bookings Outside the Operating Area

For journeys that start and end outside your defined operating area, you can choose one of the following options:

  • Booking is Not Allowed: Prevent bookings entirely in these areas. Customers will see a message indicating that the company does not operate in the selected area.

  • Allow Booking Without Price: Permit bookings without displaying a price. Customers will see a message like “Please finish booking a reservation without price, and we will provide you with a quote.” The booking proceeds with a "Reserve" button instead of immediate payment options.

  • Allow Booking and Add Driver Journey to Total Price: Accept bookings and automatically add the cost of the driver's journey from the base to the pickup or drop-off location to the total fare.

Editing an Operating Area

To modify an existing operating area:

  1. Navigate to: Admin → Settings → Operating Areas.

  2. Select the Area: Click on the operating area you wish to edit.

  3. Update Details: Make the necessary changes to the base address or radius.

  4. Save Changes: Confirm and save the updated settings.

Tips for Effective Use

  • Accurate Address Entry: Always use full, properly formatted addresses to ensure compatibility with Google Geocode Service.

  • Regular Updates: Review and update your operating areas periodically to reflect changes in your service zones.

  • Customer Communication: Clearly communicate your operating areas and any restrictions to customers to manage expectations and reduce booking errors.