Post-Installation Setup

Welcome to the post-installation setup for the Chauffeur Taxi Booking System plugin. This guide will walk you through creating your inaugural form and performing the initial setup to begin utilizing the plugin’s features. By following these steps, you’ll configure your first form without the need for importing demo content, thereby minimizing unnecessary data.

Initial Configuration in Global Settings

Navigate to the ‘Settings’ -> ‘Chauffeur Booking System’ menu. Here, you can configure the global settings for the plugin.

‘General’ -> ‘Main’ Tab

Logo

Set your logo by clicking the ‘Browse’ button to upload a graphic file or choose one from the Media Library. The logo will be visible in all notification emails sent to clients.

Currency

Select the base currency from the currency list. All forms you create will default to this currency, and further price configuration in the plugin will use this base currency.

Length Unit

Specify the unit of length — kilometers or miles. All forms you create will use this setting, and any configuration in the plugin involving distance will use this unit.

Date and Time Format

Set the date and time format used in the plugin by entering the appropriate formats in the ‘Date Format’ and ‘Time Format’ fields. The format must be compatible with the date/time format used by WordPress. Use the link next to the field to access the WordPress documentation on date/time formats.

‘General’ -> ‘Google Maps’ Tab

Google Maps API Key

Enter your generated Google Maps API key here. This key is essential for the plugin to function correctly. For more information on generating the key, refer to the documentation at this link.

Google Maps Use

Leave this option disabled by default. Enabling this option will trigger a browser prompt to load the required Google Maps libraries each time a booking form page is accessed.

Save Configuration

Save the changes you’ve made by clicking the ‘Save changes’ button. The global settings contain many more options, but for the purposes of this guide, we will not cover them here.

Adding a Vehicle

Navigate to ‘Chauffeur Booking System’ -> ‘Vehicles’. Add at least one vehicle to your configuration by clicking the ‘Add New’ button. On the new vehicle addition page, define the following:

Title

In the ‘Add title’ field, enter the name of the vehicle. This name will be displayed in the booking form.

Description

In the text editor below the title field, add a short description of the vehicle. This description will appear in the booking form next to the vehicle when the ‘More Info’ button is clicked.

Vehicle Type

On the right side of the window, locate the ‘Vehicle Types’ meta-box. Enter the category for this vehicle, such as Van or Sedan. Vehicle categories are used to filter vehicles in the filtering menu above the vehicle list in the booking form.

Vehicle Image

On the right side of the window, find the ‘Featured Image’ meta-box. Click the ‘Set featured image’ link and choose an image from the Media Library that represents the vehicle.

‘General’ Tab

Below the text editor field, find the ‘General’ tab. Here, you can set additional vehicle settings such as:

• Vehicle Make and Model
• Company Name of Vehicle Owner
• Number of Passengers and Suitcases (Vehicle Capacity)
• Vehicle Standard
• Default Driver
• Base Location
• Vehicle Gallery

‘Prices Tab’

Next to the ‘General’ tab, you will find the ‘Prices’ tab. Here, set the pricing rates for this vehicle. Initially, it is enough to specify the rate per distance – ‘Per kilometer’ or ‘Per mile’ depending on the chosen unit, and the hourly rate – ‘Per hour’. You can return to this table at any time to complete your pricing configuration for this vehicle.

‘Attributes’ Tab

Next to the ‘Prices’ tab, you will find the ‘Attributes’ tab. Here, you can set individual characteristics or attributes of the vehicle such as color, fuel type, engine, etc. To enable configuration in this tab, first define the list of available attributes in the system using the ‘Chauffeur Booking System’ -> ‘Vehicle Attributes’ menu.

‘Availability’ Tab

In this tab, you can specify date ranges or days of the week when this vehicle will not be available for booking.

Publish

Save your settings by clicking the ‘Publish’ button. Your first vehicle has been successfully added.

Adding Booking Extras

Navigate to the ‘Chauffeur Booking System’ -> ‘Booking Extras’ menu. Here, you can configure the list of extras that customers can order in the booking form. Although using extras is optional, you can add at least one and familiarize yourself with this configuration.

To add an extra, click the ‘Add New’ button. On the new extra addition page, define the following:

Title

Enter the name of the extra in the ‘Add title’ field. This name will be displayed in the booking form.

Booking Extra Categories

On the right side of the window, locate the ‘Booking Extra Categories’ meta-box. Optionally, specify a category for this extra. This is particularly useful for organizing a large number of extras.

Order Parameter

On the right side of the window, locate the ‘Post Attributes’ meta-box. Assign a numerical value – order – for this extra. Extras will be sorted on the extras list in the plugin based on this value.

Description

Optionally, add a description of this extra. It will be displayed in the extras list below the extra name.

Additional Settings

Configure additional settings such as:

• “Read More” Link – Optionally, add a URL. A link to this URL will appear below the extra description in the extras list. You can redirect customers to a new page with additional information about this extra.
• Quantity – Specify whether more than one unit of this extra can be ordered.
• Maximum Number – Specify the maximum number of this extra that can be ordered.
• Mandatory – Specify whether this extra is required for the order or optional.
• Price – Define the price for one unit of this extra.
• Tax Rate – Optionally, specify the tax rate for this extra.
• Service and Transfer Types – Specify for which types of services or transfer types this extra will be available.
• Vehicles – Select the vehicles for which this extra will be available.

Publish

Save your settings by clicking the ‘Publish’ button. Your booking extra has been successfully added.

Creating a Booking Form

Navigate to the ‘Chauffeur Booking System’ -> ‘Booking Forms’ menu and create a new booking form by clicking the ‘Add New’ button.

On the newly opened booking form editing page, enter the title of the form in the ‘Add title’ field and proceed to configure it in the respective tabs below.

‘General’ -> ‘Main’ Tab

Booking Sending Period

It’s a good idea to configure this setting for each form you create. This setting lets you control the time window during which customers can make reservations. You have the flexibility to set the duration in terms of days, hours, or minutes, and specify the starting point, the ending point, or both. Importantly, this time frame is measured from the current moment onwards.

• Days – If you choose to set the duration in days, you can specify the number of days from the current day onwards during which bookings can be made. For example, setting it from 1 to 7 days means customers can book a ride starting from tomorrow and up to 7 days into the future. If you specify only the start point, bookings can be made from that day onwards indefinitely.
• Hours – When setting the duration in hours, you determine the number of hours from the current time onwards within which bookings are allowed. For instance, if you set it from 0 to 12 hours, customers can book a ride starting from now and up to 12 hours later. If you specify only the start point, bookings can be made from that hour onwards indefinitely.
• Minutes – Choosing minutes allows you to define the time frame in terms of minutes. You specify the number of minutes from the current moment onwards for which bookings are permitted. For example, setting it from 0 to 60 minutes means customers can book a ride starting immediately and up to 60 minutes into the future. If you specify only the start point, bookings can be made from that minute onwards indefinitely.

‘General’ -> ‘Services & Transfers’ Tab

Service Type Offered

This option allows you to define the type of service provided by your booking system. You can select one, two, or all three types of services. If you select more than one service type, tabs will appear in the public part of the form, allowing customers to switch between services. The available service types are:

• Distance – In this service type, the customer specifies the ‘Pickup Location’, ‘Drop-Off Location’, and any possible waypoints in the booking form. The customer also selects the ‘Transfer Type’, either ‘One Way’ or ‘Return’ (depending on whether ‘Return’ mode has been enabled for this service type). Based on these inputs, the plugin calculates the route, determining its distance and duration. The billing is based on distance by default although the plugin offers the flexibility to bill based on duration as well.
• Hourly – For this service type, the customer only needs to specify the ‘Pickup Location’ and the duration of the ride in hours. The plugin calculates the duration of the ride without considering the distance. The billing is based only on the time provided by the customer. and the ‘Drop-off Location’ field that appears in this service is for information purposes only and does not affect the settlement of travel costs.
• Flat Rate – In this service type, the customer selects a pre-defined route from a list of available routes. The customer also selects the ‘Transfer Type’, either ‘One Way’ or ‘Return’ (depending on whether ‘Return’ mode has been enabled for this service type). The billing is based on distance by default although the plugin offers the flexibility to bill based on route-specific prices as well as duration.

Default Service Type

If you are using more than one service type, choose the default tab.

Transfer Type

Specify whether return transfers, such as ‘Return’ and ‘Return (new ride)’, are available for ‘Distance’ and ‘Flat Rate’ service types. The latter option also allows the selection of a different date and time for the return trip.

‘General’ -> ‘Vehicles’ Tab

Vehicles Availability

It’s advisable to configure this option. Enabling it will prevent the vehicle from being booked by others during the period it is already reserved.

‘General’ -> ‘Prices’ Tab

Calculation Method

This option allows you to change the default pricing calculation method for a given service type. In ‘Distance’ and ‘Flat Rate’ services, you can include the duration of the ride, calculate its cost, and add it to the distance fare. Other calculation methods take into account the passenger mode. You can find more about passenger mode in the plugin documentation.

‘Availability’ Tab

Business Hours

Define your operational hours by setting the start and end time for each day of the week.

• If you do not provide services on a particular day, leave the fields blank.
• If you operate 24 hours on a given day, enter ‘0:00’ in the ‘Start Time’ field and ’23:59′ in the ‘End Time’ field. If you use the 12-hour clock, fill in the fields with ’12:00 am’ for the start time and ’11:59 pm’ for the end time respectively.

Configuring this option is essential for the proper functioning of the date selection calendar in the booking form.

‘Driving Zone’ Tab

To restrict location choices in the booking form, use the ‘Driving Zone’ option. This feature allows you to limit location selection to a specific country or a list of countries (up to a maximum of five). Alternatively, you can select any point on the map and define a radius, creating a circular area centered on that point. Location selection will then be restricted to this defined circle. The center point can be any address, such as a country, city, or street. Use Google’s autosuggest feature when filling out this field.

‘Google Maps’ Tab

Default Location

Specify the point on which the map should be centered in the booking form. You can choose the ‘Browser Geolocation’ option — this setting prompts the user to allow the use of their geolocation each time, and centers the map accordingly. Alternatively, select the ‘Fixed Location’ option and enter any address to serve as the center of the map. If you used the ‘Driving Zone’ option from the previous section to restrict location choices, such as to a specific country, it makes sense to set the same country or address here.

Map Type Control

You can change the map appearance settings, e.g. change its type to ‘Roadmap’.

Embedding a Form Into a Web Page

Save the form settings by clicking the ‘Publish’ button. Then go to the ‘General’ -> ‘Shortcodes’ tab. There you will find the Booking Form shortcode in the format:

[chbs_booking_form booking_form_id="10446"]

(where the ID is the unique number of the form). Copy this code by clicking the ‘Copy’ button. Next, go to the ‘Pages’ menu. Add a new page or edit an existing one by clicking on its name. Insert the previously copied code into the content of the page. Paste it as plain text or, if you are using a visual content editor, use the shortcode component. Save the changes and view the page. In the place where the code was inserted earlier, your booking form will be displayed.

Your form is now ready to use. The next steps may be to configure notifications, enable electronic payment methods or translate the form into another language. You will find this and more information in the documentation.

Browse Additional Topics

• Email Notifications
• Payment Setup
• Translating the Plugin
• Fixed Locations
• Passengers