MOBILE FOR-HIRE-VEHICLE HAILING SYSTEM AND METHOD

1 . A computer-implemented method for engaging a for-hire vehicle, the method comprising:

by a first mobile computing device:

receiving information from a remote server indicating FHV activity in a geographical region of interest;

providing a user interface for viewing by a user seeking FHV transportation service, the user interface displaying a map having one or more icons thereon indicating locations of one or more FHVs;

receiving user input indicating a desire to hail one of the one or more FHVs;

transmitting a hailing signal;

receiving an acceptance of the hailing signal and notifying the user of the acceptance;

linking with a second computing device disposed within the hailed FHV over a local area network;

providing information related to an FHV trip to the remote server;

receiving a calculated fare; and

displaying the calculated fare to the user.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second computing device is a mobile computing device.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the calculated fare is received from the remote server.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the calculated fare is based at least in part on a first set of rules when the first mobile computing device is located within a first jurisdiction and is based on a second set of rules when the first mobile computing device is located within a second jurisdiction.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface displays information associated with the one or more icons indicating a type of vehicle.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further including providing functionality for the user to pay the calculated fare.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein providing functionality for the user to pay the fare includes presenting a payment user interface, wherein the user may input payment information using the payment user interface.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes an icon indicating a current location of the user.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising linking with a third mobile computing device over a local area network.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving a signal from the third mobile device indicating the start of the FHV trip.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying an estimated time of arrival of the hailed FHV.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a distance of the hailed FHV from a current location of the user or a designated pick-up location.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing functionality for the user to select an FHV for hailing from among a group of available FHVs.

14 . A system for managing calculated fares associated with for-hire vehicle activity, the system comprising:

a computer memory; and

computer hardware including a processor in communication with the memory and configured to:

receive information from a remote server indicating FHV activity in a geographical region of interest;

provide a user interface for viewing by a user seeking FHV transportation service, the user interface displaying a map having one or more icons thereon indicating locations of one or more FHVs;

receive user input indicating a desire to hail one of the one or more FHVs;

transmit a hailing signal;

receive an acceptance of the hailing signal and notify the user of the acceptance;

link with a second mobile computing device disposed within the hailed FHV over a local area network;

provide information related to an FHV trip to the remote server;

receive a calculated fare; and

display the calculated fare to the user.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the user interface is configured to display information associated with the one or more icons indicating a type of vehicle.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide functionality for the user to pay the calculated fare.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to present a payment user interface to the user, wherein the user may input payment information using the payment user interface.

18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the user interface includes an icon indicating a current location of the user.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to link with a third mobile computing device over a local area network.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a signal from the third mobile device indicating the start of the FHV trip.

21 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to display an estimated time of arrival of the hailed FHV.

22 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to display a distance of the hailed FHV from a current location of the user or a designated pick up location.

23 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide functionality for the user to select an FHV for hailing from among a group of available FHVs.