Online cab services can be a lifesaver in making things convenient and accessible. Their live-tracking and real-time location features are additional handy tools, but getting the initial hang of them can be tricky. Here’s a simple guide to track your booked rides on your smartphone.
Tracking Cab Rides & How It’s Useful
Cab rides not only save time to get from location A to B but are also useful in getting real-time status updates offering few advantages that can make your journey safer. Here’s how:
- Added Safety: You can share your real-time location with family or friends, keeping them less worried and in the loop.
- Route Familiarity: When traveling in a new city, this feature helps you understand the route and nearby landmarks better.
- Accurate ETAs: If you’re in a rush to catch your flight, attend important meetings, or want to reach before time, tracking lets you know your Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) and check the ride progress.
Different Cab Ride Services and How to Use them
1. Uber
With its black and white interface, Uber provides a simple and easy to navigate user-friendly interface for booking rides (and tracking them in real-time). Once you’ve booked a ride, you can see your driver’s location on a map, along with an estimated time of arrival. Uber also sends push notifications to keep you updated on your driver’s progress.
Here’s how you can track your ride on Uber:
- Open the Uber app after booking your ride.
- You’ll see a map on the main screen showing your pickup location and your driver’s current position.
- The driver’s name, photo, vehicle details, and license plate number will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
- As your driver approaches, you’ll see their car icon moving on the map in real-time.
- Once your trip begins, you can continue to track your progress on the map until you reach your destination.
- Uber also allows you to share your trip status with friends or family for added safety. To do this, tap “Share status” at the bottom of the screen and choose your preferred contact method.
2. Rapido
Widely known for its bike taxi services, this app offers live tracking for all its bike, cab and auto rides. The yellow app shows the real-time location of your assigned captain (driver) and provides regular updates on their approach to your pickup point. To get started tracking your journey, follow the steps below:
- After booking your ride on the Rapido app, you’ll see a confirmation screen.
- This screen will display your captain’s name, vehicle details, and a map showing their current location.
- You can watch the captain’s icon move on the map as they approach your pickup point.
- Once your ride begins, the app will continue to show your progress on the map.
- Rapido also provides an estimated time of arrival at your destination, which updates in real-time based on traffic conditions.
- To share your ride details with others, tap the “Share Ride” button and select your preferred sharing method.
3. Ola
Ola’s tracking feature allows you to monitor your cab’s movement from the moment your booking is confirmed. The app provides live updates on the driver’s location, estimated time of arrival, and trip progress. Similar to its counterpart cab services, Ola too is easy to use to track your rides. Here’s how to do it:
- Once your Ola ride is confirmed, open the app to view the main screen.
- You’ll see a map displaying your pickup location and the real-time position of your assigned cab.
- The driver’s name, photo, vehicle model, and registration number will be shown at the bottom of the screen.
- As your driver approaches, you can watch their movement on the map.
- When your trip starts, the app will continue to show your progress and update your estimated time of arrival.
- Ola also offers a “Share Status” feature. Tap this option to send your ride details and live location to your chosen contacts.
Seeking In-App or Customer Support if Tracking Error is Faced
There could well be times when things aren’t as smooth as a daisy, and I’m referring to situations for example where there are low network area, where tracking comes to a halt. Even though such tracking systems are generally reliable, you might face situations where the driver’s location isn’t updating, the estimated time of arrival seems inaccurate, or the app freezes during tracking. In such cases, it’s important you know how to seek support and get it fixed.
Most ride-hailing apps these days, including Uber, Rapido, and Ola, already have built-in support/help features. You can usually find a “Help” or “Support” option within the app menu. Upon opening, you can find troubleshooting tips for common issues, including tracking errors under a whole list of other helping guides.
Moreover, if the already present FAQs don’t help resolve the issue, you can directly contact customer support through the app. To do this, look out for options like “Contact Support” or “Report an Issue.” When reporting the tracking problem, be sure to provide specific details (such as the time when the issue starting persisting, how the app behaved than usual, glitches etc.) about the issue you’re facing. Additionally, taking screenshots also help as an evidence for the issue and makes the support identify and take action more swiftly to resolve it.
Remember, these companies prioritize your safety and satisfaction. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re experiencing any problems with ride tracking or other aspects of the service.
FAQs
Q: Can I track my ride if it is booked by someone else(friends, family, acquaintances)?
A: Due to privacy policies, only the person who books the rides can share the real-time location tracking. This can be done only via sharing through official app features.
Q: Do drivers also see my real-time location during pickup?
A: Yes, drivers receive continuous updates of your location until the pickup. Post pickup, tracking focuses on route to destination.
Q: Are the ETAs shown in the app during monsoon or rainy days accurate?
A: Most of the ride-sharing apps adjust for weather using both historical data and driver reports. However, you can expect a 15-25% scope or difference during extreme conditions.
Q: Is it possible to track past rides?
A: While almost all of these apps show route history for 7-30 days under the ‘Past Trips‘ section, the real-time tracking ends as soon as the trip gets completed.
Q: Can I track my ride location if my phone runs out of battery?
A: Unfortunately, you won’t be able to track your ride if your phone’s battery dies. It’s a good idea to ensure your phone is sufficiently charged before booking a ride. Consider carrying a portable charger for longer journeys.
Q: Is it safe to share my ride details with others?
A: Yes, sharing your ride details with trusted friends or family members can enhance your safety. All the major ride-hailing apps have built-in features to easily share your trip status, including real-time location and estimated arrival time.
Q: What should I do if the tracking seems inaccurate?
A: If the tracking appears inaccurate, first try refreshing the app or restarting it. If the problem persists, contact the driver directly through the app. If you’re still facing issues, report the problem to the app’s customer support team for assistance.
