Coach & minibus booking service with quote system
About the client
Driven Connect aimed to create an efficient online platform to connect organizations with local coaches and minibus carriers across the UK. They needed a solution to streamline the quote request and booking process while supporting local transport businesses.
Project’s backstory
Our collaboration began in March 2022. The client had user stories and product vision, but they needed to clarify flows and system requirements. The COAX team started from scratch and, in 5 months, delivered the MVP with basic booking features and three user roles.
The solution didn’t attract active users, so the client had to rethink its business logic. After engaging with investors and potential customers, they reached out to us with new requirements.
The concept expanded beyond B2B functionality and now covered B2C flows to engage more users. Based on these insights, our team refined the user roles and logic, improved the booking process, and prepared for the launch.
Post-launch, we transitioned to weekly sprints, each ending in a new release. This flexible, iterative approach led us to develop a robust platform that meets the dynamic needs of the transport booking sector.
Customized UI & data access
Initially, we implemented three user roles. Each role has a tailored interface, set of functionalities, and access levels.
Buyers, typically organizations like companies or universities, place transport orders.
Operators, transport company representatives, respond to these orders and provide services.
Admins, including DrivenConnect staff and select clients, have all-system access and manage the platform.
Recently, we introduced the Individual role, which allows private users to place one-off transport orders.
Key features
Quote request system
Buyers avoid carrier lock-in while getting competitive prices with the quote system. They can choose from the two subscription plans.
User roles
Different interfaces and functionalities for Organizations and Individual Buyers, Operator, and Admin roles.
Route planning
Integration with Google mapping services for accurate journey planning and distance calculation.
Emissions tracking
Innovative module helps calculate emissions, generate offset reports, and pay carbon tax within the app.
Payments and billing
Built-in Stripe gateway supports various payment methods, while the billing module keeps all billing data in one place.
Vehicle management
Operators keep fleet information at hand, with the ability to manage organization settings and vehicle suppliers according to their needs.
Analytics and reporting
Data visualization within the dashboard helps track performance and make informed decisions.
Document storage
Secure storage for important documents related to bookings and operations.
Challenges & solutions
- Changing requirements. We adopted an Agile methodology with weekly sprints to quickly adapt to evolving client needs and user feedback. This became particularly crucial after the initial live release when real user feedback began shaping feature priorities.
- Balancing user needs. We created distinct interfaces and feature sets for different user roles for an intuitive experience. The challenge intensified as we continuously adjusted priorities based on user requests.
- Scalability. We utilized AWS infrastructure to ensure the platform can handle a growing user base and transaction volume.
- Payment integration. Implementing a robust payment system was a significant challenge, requiring extra caution and attention to detail due to its financial nature.
- Rapid iteration post-launch. Immediately following the live release without subscriptions or payments, we had to quickly implement new features and adjust existing ones based on user feedback, always shifting priorities to meet user demands.
- Complex calculations. We implemented sophisticated algorithms for emissions tracking, route planning, and tender evaluations. This included integrating with Google services for accurate distance calculations and tax estimations.
Carbon emissions reporting
The emissions module helps buyers track and reduce their environmental impact. It shows how much pollution each vehicle produces for different routes. Companies can generate comprehensive reports, offset emissions through trusted partners, and view carbon-efficient options at the quote level.
To enable real-time data synchronization, our team integrated Google services. When carriers build their fleet and add vehicles, they provide detailed specifications such as vehicle type, engine size, fuel type, and fuel efficiency metrics like miles per gallon. With this information, the system calculates key performance indicators, including emissions and fuel consumption.
On top of that, the system handles Carbon Emissions Tax payments, ensuring compliance with UK legislation.
Value delivered by COAX
For buyers:
- An easy-to-use platform for requesting quotes from multiple transport carriers
- Access to a wide range of vehicles suitable for various group sizes
- Transparent pricing and comparison of options
- Emissions tracking and reporting capabilities
For transport companies:
- Comprehensive management system for handling quotes, bookings, and fleet information
- Ability to pay yearly vehicle emission taxes directly through the platform
- Analytics tools for data-driven decision making
- Subscription-based access to advanced features
Digital transformation for the UK transport industry
Driven Connect transformed coach and minibus hire in the UK. It simplifies operations for transport providers, offers an intuitive booking experience for buyers, and better price for value with a tender system.
When buyers place a request, it’s distributed to relevant operators who submit their bids and compete for the contract. As a result, buyers can choose the most suitable options on the market. 400+ coach and minibus operators have already joined the platform, and the numbers are growing.
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