Transportation Glossary
Your comprehensive guide to transportation, taxi, and limo industry terminology.
Affiliate Network
A system that allows transportation companies to share rides with each other, expanding service areas without additional fleet investment. Partners can farm out or farm in rides based on availability and location.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols and tools that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. In dispatch software, APIs enable integration with payment gateways, mapping services, and third-party booking platforms.
Auto-Dispatch
An automated system that assigns incoming ride requests to available drivers based on proximity, vehicle type, driver ratings, and other configurable criteria without manual dispatcher intervention.
Booking Portal
An online platform where customers can view available services, get quotes, and make reservations. Often integrated with the main dispatch system for real-time availability.
Black Car Service
Premium sedan transportation service typically using luxury vehicles like Lincoln Town Cars, Mercedes, or BMW sedans. Often associated with corporate travel and executive transportation.
Chauffeur
A professional driver trained in premium customer service, typically employed by limousine and luxury transportation companies. Chauffeurs often wear uniforms and provide white-glove service.
Corporate Account
A business arrangement where companies pre-register for transportation services, often with negotiated rates, centralized billing, and employee booking privileges.
Deadhead
The distance or time a vehicle travels without passengers, such as driving to pick up a customer or returning from a drop-off. Minimizing deadhead improves operational efficiency.
Dispatch
The process of assigning and coordinating vehicles and drivers to fulfill ride requests. Modern dispatch systems use software to optimize assignments based on multiple factors.
Dynamic Pricing
A pricing strategy that adjusts rates based on demand, time of day, traffic conditions, or special events. Also known as surge pricing in ride-hailing contexts.
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
The predicted time when a vehicle will arrive at the pickup or drop-off location. Accurate ETAs are crucial for customer satisfaction and operational planning.
Farm Out
The practice of subcontracting a ride to another transportation company when a request cannot be fulfilled with internal resources. Common in affiliate networks.
Farm In
Receiving and fulfilling ride requests from partner companies through an affiliate network. Provides additional revenue without marketing costs.
Fleet Management
The comprehensive management of company vehicles including maintenance scheduling, fuel tracking, insurance, registration, and vehicle assignments.
Flight Tracking
Integration with airline systems to monitor flight arrivals and departures in real-time. Enables automatic adjustment of pickup times for delayed or early flights.
Geofencing
Creating virtual geographic boundaries that trigger automated actions when vehicles enter or exit. Used for zone-based pricing, driver availability, and airport management.
GPS Tracking
Using satellite navigation to monitor vehicle locations in real-time. Essential for dispatch optimization, customer updates, and driver accountability.
Ground Transportation
All forms of surface-based transportation services including taxis, limos, shuttles, and ride-hailing. Distinguished from air travel.
Hourly Charter
A booking where the vehicle and driver are reserved for a specified number of hours rather than a specific route. Common for events, tours, and business meetings.
Invoice
A detailed bill sent to customers or corporate accounts itemizing services rendered, including base fares, wait time, tolls, gratuity, and any additional charges.
Livery
A term for commercial transportation vehicles for hire, particularly in regulated markets. Livery vehicles often require special licensing and insurance.
Limousine
A luxury vehicle, traditionally a stretched sedan, used for premium transportation services. Modern limousines include SUVs, party buses, and specialty vehicles.
Meet & Greet
A service where the chauffeur meets the passenger inside a terminal or building, often holding a sign with the passenger's name. Common for airport and hotel pickups.
Medallion
A permit or license required to operate a taxicab in certain cities. Medallion systems regulate the number of taxis and are issued by local transportation authorities.
No-Show
When a passenger fails to appear for a scheduled pickup. Most companies have no-show policies that charge partial or full fare for missed pickings.
On-Demand
Transportation service available immediately upon request, as opposed to pre-scheduled rides. Ride-hailing services popularized on-demand transportation.
OTA (Online Travel Agency)
Websites and platforms that sell travel services including transportation. Integrating with OTAs can provide additional booking channels for transportation companies.
Point-to-Point
A ride with a specific pickup and drop-off location, as opposed to hourly charter or zone-based service. The most common type of transportation booking.
POS (Point of Sale)
The system used to process payments at the time of service. Modern POS systems in vehicles accept credit cards, mobile payments, and digital wallets.
Pre-Book
A reservation made in advance, as opposed to on-demand or immediate service. Pre-books allow for better resource planning and vehicle allocation.
Rate Card
A published list of prices for transportation services, often including base fares, per-mile rates, wait time charges, and special service fees.
Ride-Hailing
On-demand transportation service requested through a mobile app, where independent drivers use personal vehicles. Popularized by companies like Uber and Lyft.
RLS (Row Level Security)
A database security feature that restricts which rows of data users can access. Essential for multi-tenant dispatch systems where companies share infrastructure.
Sedan
A standard four-door passenger vehicle, the most common vehicle type for black car and executive transportation services.
Surge Pricing
Dynamic pricing that increases rates during periods of high demand or limited supply. Helps balance supply and demand while increasing driver earnings during peak times.
SUV
Sport Utility Vehicle, commonly used for airport transportation and groups. Offers more space than sedans for luggage and additional passengers.
TNC (Transportation Network Company)
Companies that connect passengers with drivers through digital platforms. A regulatory classification for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
Toll
Fees charged for using certain roads, bridges, or tunnels. Transportation companies typically pass tolls through to customers as additional charges.
Trip Sheet
A document or digital record containing all details of a ride including pickup/drop-off locations, times, passenger information, and charges.
Two-Way
A round-trip booking that includes both outbound and return transportation. Often discounted compared to two separate one-way bookings.
Vehicle Tracking
The use of GPS and telematics to monitor vehicle location, speed, and status in real-time. Essential for dispatch, safety, and fleet management.
VIP Service
Premium transportation service with additional amenities such as refreshments, newspapers, WiFi, and enhanced privacy features.
Wait Time
Charges applied when a driver waits for a passenger beyond the standard grace period. Typically charged in increments (e.g., per 15 minutes).
White-Label
Software or applications that can be rebranded with a company's own name and design. Allows operators to offer custom-branded apps to customers.
Zone Pricing
A pricing model based on geographic zones rather than exact mileage. Common for airport transfers where flat rates apply between specific areas.