Rider Book Ahead Flow
The mobile Book Ahead flow lets riders reserve a vehicle model before they arrive. The rider chooses when and where they want pickup, then books a model and quantity from available inventory.
Opening Book Ahead
Riders open Book Ahead from the mobile app drawer.
Depending on how the app was launched, Book Ahead may be scoped to a specific subaccount or vehicle type. For example, a fleet can direct riders into Book Ahead for bikes only or scooters only.
Step 1: Select a Pickup Location
The first card shows reservation pickup locations configured by the operator.
Each location can include:
- Pickup location name.
- Subaccount or market name.
- Address.
- Local timezone.
If no locations appear, the operator has not configured active reservation locations for the rider's selected market.
Step 2: Choose Pickup and Return Times
The rider selects:
| Time | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pickup | When the booking starts |
| Return | When the booking should end |
Times are entered in the pickup location's local timezone. The app shows the timezone below the picker so riders know which local time applies.
The return time must be after pickup. The backend also rejects reservations shorter than the configured minimum, with a hard minimum of one hour.
Step 3: Review Available Models
After location and time are selected, the app loads available models.
Each model card can show:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Model name | The reservable vehicle model |
| Manufacturer or year | Additional model context when available |
| Available quantity | Remaining capacity for that model, location, and time window |
| Price each | Reservation price for one unit for the selected time window |
| Deposit each | Booking deposit for one unit |
| Total | Total reservation cost for selected quantity |
| Non-refundable deposit | Deposit that will be charged immediately |
Availability is cap-based
The available quantity does not mean those exact vehicles are already assigned. It means the operator has configured enough model-level capacity for that location and time window.
Step 4: Select Quantity
If a model has available quantity, the rider can increase or decrease the booking quantity.
Quantity cannot exceed the model's available quantity for the selected window. For example, if only two units are available, the quantity selector stops at two.
Multi-unit reservations are useful for group bookings, events, tours, and planned rides. Pickup for multi-unit model bookings is operator-assisted.
Step 5: Confirm Booking
When the rider taps Book Model, the platform:
- Re-validates pickup location, model, time window, pricing tier, and cap availability.
- Creates the model reservation atomically.
- Charges the upfront booking deposit.
- Confirms the reservation if payment succeeds.
- Sends a booking confirmation notification.
If another rider books the last available capacity first, the reservation fails and the rider should choose another time, location, or model.
Deposit Messaging
The mobile app labels the booking deposit as non-refundable for model reservations.
The deposit is:
- Charged immediately.
- Applied toward the reservation total.
- Stored on the reservation as the booking deposit.
- Not a long-lived authorization hold.
If the deposit charge fails, the booking is not confirmed.
Do not describe this as a hold
Book Ahead uses an immediate charge for the booking deposit. Support and operator teams should not tell riders it is only a temporary authorization.
After Booking
After confirmation:
- The rider sees the reservation in their reservation list.
- The reservation may show no assigned vehicle at first.
- The operator assigns a physical vehicle before pickup.
- The rider receives an assignment notification when a vehicle is assigned.
For single-unit model bookings, check-in becomes available after assignment. For multi-unit bookings, pickup is intentionally operator-assisted.
Pickup Experience
At pickup time:
| Booking Type | Pickup Behavior |
|---|---|
| Single-unit model booking with assignment | Rider can check in from the reservation detail screen |
| Single-unit model booking without assignment | Rider must wait for operator assignment |
| Multi-unit model booking | Operator assists pickup and vehicle handoff |
During check-in, the system unlocks the assigned vehicle, enables throttle, creates the ride, and marks the assignment checked in.
If unlock fails, the system rolls reservation and ride state back so the rider is not left with a broken active reservation.
Checkout Experience
At checkout, the system:
- Locks the assigned vehicle.
- Calculates the remaining balance.
- Attempts to collect the remaining amount due.
- Completes the reservation.
- Releases the assignment.
- Sends the checkout notification.
If balance collection fails, the reservation can still complete, but the unpaid amount remains visible as a balance due.
Common Rider Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I pick the exact scooter or bike? | No. Book Ahead reserves a model and quantity. Operators assign the physical vehicle. |
| Why is no vehicle assigned yet? | Operators may assign vehicles closer to pickup after charging, inspection, and staging. |
| Why can't I check in? | Check-in is available only after assignment for single-unit model bookings. |
| Why is pickup assisted for multiple units? | Multi-unit reservations need coordinated handoff, staging, and assignment handling. |
| Is the deposit refundable? | Model reservation booking deposits are labeled and treated as non-refundable. |