Build a Taxi Booking App with React Native: Part 2

This article continues our journey of building a taxi booking application using React Native. We’ll cover how to display routes between source and destination, calculate charges based on vehicle type and distance, and integrate Stripe for payment processing. An accompanying video walks through the full process.

In this tutorial, we’ll implement key features for our taxi app. We’ll use the Mapbox API to draw routes between the user’s source and destination, dynamically calculate fares based on distance and selected vehicle, and display these costs. Finally, we’ll integrate Stripe to handle payments directly within the app, including handling payment errors and processing successful transactions.

Showing Routes on the Map

Once a user selects both a source and destination address, we have the latitude and longitude coordinates for both locations. Mapbox offers a Directions API that we can leverage to find the route between these two points. By sending the source and destination coordinates to this API, we receive a response containing a series of coordinates that define the route’s geometry. These coordinates consist of numerous points, and by connecting these points, we can draw the route on the Mapbox map. This visually represents the path the taxi will take from the source to the destination.

Calculating Trip Charges

A crucial aspect of a taxi booking app is accurately calculating trip charges. The fare needs to be determined based on several factors: the distance between the source and destination, and the type of vehicle selected by the user. We’ll use the distance obtained from the Mapbox Directions API response. Then we’ll apply a different rate based on which vehicle type the user picks (e.g., Economy, Comfort, Electric). This dynamic calculation ensures fair and transparent pricing for each trip. Previously, the prices were hardcoded, but now we calculate these values dynamically.

Integrating Stripe for Payments

To enable users to pay for their rides, we’ll integrate Stripe, a popular and secure payment gateway. Instead of redirecting users to an external checkout page, we’ll embed the Stripe payment form directly within our application. This provides a smoother and more integrated user experience. Users can enter their credit card information directly into the app. We’ll implement validation to ensure the information is correct, displaying errors if any fields are missing or invalid. Upon successful payment, the transaction details are securely processed by Stripe.

Handling Payment Errors

It’s important to gracefully handle payment errors. For example, if a user enters an incorrect card number or CVV code, we need to display a clear and informative error message. This allows the user to correct the information and try again. Proper error handling ensures a better user experience and prevents frustration.

Displaying Payment Information

After a successful payment, the transaction details can be displayed in a dashboard. This provides an overview of all payments received through the application. Key information includes the amount paid, the date and time of the transaction, and other relevant details.

Key Takeaways

• Use Mapbox Directions API to display routes between two locations.
• Dynamically calculate trip charges based on distance and vehicle type.
• Integrate Stripe for secure in-app payment processing.
• Implement error handling to guide users during payment.
• Display payment information in a dashboard for easy tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the distance calculation using the Mapbox API?

The Mapbox Directions API provides highly accurate distance calculations, taking into account real-time traffic conditions and road closures. However, some minor discrepancies may occur due to factors such as GPS inaccuracies.

Is Stripe a secure payment gateway for my taxi app?

Yes, Stripe is a PCI DSS compliant payment gateway and uses encryption to secure all sensitive data, including credit card numbers. It is considered a very secure solution for processing online payments.

Can I customize the vehicle types and pricing in the app?

Yes, the vehicle types and pricing can be easily customized within the application’s configuration settings. This allows you to adjust the fares based on your specific business needs and local market conditions.

What happens if the Stripe payment fails?

If a Stripe payment fails, the application will display an error message to the user, prompting them to check their payment information or try a different payment method. The transaction will be cancelled and no funds will be transferred. In this part of our taxi app tutorial, we’ve covered essential features like displaying routes, calculating fares, and integrating secure payment processing. By leveraging the Mapbox Directions API and Stripe, we’ve created a functional and user-friendly experience. Remember to handle potential payment errors gracefully and provide clear feedback to the user throughout the booking and payment process. These features lay the groundwork for a fully functional and reliable taxi booking application.

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