In 2022, a Qatar-based transportation startup set out to launch a local ride-hailing platform. To make this vision a reality, Badr Interactive, an Indonesia-based technology services firm, partnered with us to engineer and deliver a custom-built driver and passenger application.
From day one, the mission was to create a reliable, scalable solution tailored to local needs.
Here’s how we approached and built the platform from the ground up!
The Goal:
As global ride-sharing platforms began entering the Qatari market, the goal was to create a local solution that could match international quality. Moreover, it needed to address unique regional needs such as language preferences, payment methods, and the need for admin-level ride control.
Our Solution:
To meet these objectives, we delivered this through three core components:
- Passenger app launched in phases to evolve with user needs
- Driver app optimized for admin-assigned rides
- Web-based admin portal enabling full platform oversight
Altogether, these components created a seamless, end-to-end ecosystem for passengers, drivers, and operators.
Passenger Application
The passenger app was built in three strategic phases. With each stage, we introduced new features that elevated the rider experience and improved system efficiency. More importantly, each release was guided by user feedback and market testing.
Phase 1 focused on the core ride experience:
- Vehicle selection: Pick a vehicle based on comfort or budget preferences.
- Live driver tracking: View real-time driver location and arrival estimates.
- Flexible payments: Settle payments via cash or credit card.
In Phase 2, we prioritized convenience and efficiency:
- Scheduled pickups: Book rides in advance for a specific time.
- Queueing system: Join a waitlist in busy areas and get automatically matched with the next available driver.
The third phase introduced advanced ride optimization features:
- Shared rides: Enable multiple passengers heading in the same direction to share a ride efficiently.
As a result, the passenger experience became more reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly. In turn, this helped improve user retention and satisfaction. Additionally, Additionally, by gathering insights at each phase, we kept the app aligned with user expectations.
Driver Application:
Unlike many other ride-hailing apps, where drivers accept rides independently, this platform adopted a unique admin-assigned ride model. Therefore, we tailored the driver app to support this system while ensuring safety and ease of use. Compared to traditional models, this created a more structured and balanced workflow.
Key features included:
- Admin-Assigned Rides: Trips were automatically assigned by the admin, eliminating driver competition.
- Comprehensive Ride Information: Drivers could view pickup points, routes, and drop-off locations in advance.
- Trip Records Archive: Easy view of completed trips for easy reference and performance tracking.
- In-app Support: Quick access to assistance for accidents, emergencies, or operational issues.
- Bilingual Interface: Fully supported English and Arabic for local usability.
Overall, the driver experience was simplified, structured, and aligned with local market expectations. As a result, drivers were able to focus on service quality instead of competing for rides.
Admin Portal
To ensure efficient platform management, we built a centralized admin dashboard that provided full visibility and control over city-wide ride activity.
Key features included:
- Real-Time City Map: A live, color-coded map displays passenger requests (red icons) and driver locations (blue icons).
- Manual Ride Assignment: Admins could assign drivers to incoming requests based on proximity and availability.
- Demand Monitoring: Visual indicators highlighted high-demand areas for proactive resource allocation.
As a result, administrators could make timely, data-driven decisions.
Forward-Thinking Innovations
One of Techtinium’s strengths lies in anticipating market needs and building future-ready capabilities. For this platform in particular, we engineered features that gave it a long-term competitive edge, including:
Smart Driver Allocation: Leveraging Google’s open-source OR-Tools with the CBC solver, we developed a custom solution to optimize ride allocation based on real-time availability and dynamic traffic conditions.
Live and Scheduled Pickups: The platform supported both pre-scheduled and on-demand bookings. Notably, scheduled rides were given priority, while live requests seamlessly integrated into the flow.
Mutual Rating System: To foster trust and accountability, both passengers and drivers could rate each other, improving service quality over time.
Consequently, the platform not only met but exceeded local and international standards. This gave the startup unique positioning in a market dominated by global giants.
The Impact
What began as a bold ambition to compete with global ride-hailing giants quickly turned into a remarkable success story:
- Initially, the platform handled just 5 rides per day.
- Over time, it scaled to 30 rides every 5 minutes within 18 months.
- Today, it supports over 50,000 trips each month.
- Surpassed 100,000 app downloads with a 4.2-star average rating
In short, our tailored solution empowered a local startup to scale rapidly, operate efficiently, and build long-term customer trust. Above all, it delivered a tech-enabled service that aligned perfectly with regional needs. As a result, the business gained the momentum and credibility to expand further.
