Pricing System

Understanding how Viax calculates trip fares and pricing

Overview

Viax uses a dynamic pricing system that calculates fares based on multiple factors including distance, time, vehicle type, and demand. This page explains how pricing works and what affects your trip cost.

Fare Calculation Formula

The total trip fare is calculated using the following components:

// Pricing calculation
final totalFare = baseFare + distanceCost + timeCost + (surgePricing * demandMultiplier);

// Where:
// - baseFare: Fixed starting price for vehicle type
// - distanceCost: costPerKm * distanceInKm
// - timeCost: costPerMinute * durationInMinutes  
// - surgePricing: Additional charge during high demand

Components Breakdown

Base Fare

Fixed starting price that varies by vehicle type

Distance Cost

Charged per kilometer traveled

Time Cost

Charged per minute of trip duration

Surge Pricing

Dynamic multiplier during high demand periods

Vehicle Type Pricing

Each vehicle category has different base rates:

Moto

Motorcycle

• Base fare: $3,000 COP
• Cost per km: $800 COP
• Cost per minute: $100 COP
• Minimum fare: $4,000 COP

Best for:

• Solo riders
• Short distances
• Quick trips in traffic

Carro

Car

• Base fare: $4,500 COP
• Cost per km: $1,200 COP
• Cost per minute: $150 COP
• Minimum fare: $6,000 COP

Best for:

• Groups (up to 4 people)
• Comfort and safety
• Medium to long distances

Moto Carga

Motorcycle Cargo

• Base fare: $3,500 COP
• Cost per km: $900 COP
• Cost per minute: $120 COP
• Minimum fare: $4,500 COP

Best for:

• Small package delivery
• Documents
• Items up to 20kg

Carro Carga

Car Cargo

• Base fare: $5,000 COP
• Cost per km: $1,500 COP
• Cost per minute: $200 COP
• Minimum fare: $7,000 COP

Best for:

• Larger items
• Furniture
• Packages up to 100kg

Example Fare Calculations

Example 1: Short Moto Trip

Trip details:
- Vehicle: Moto
- Distance: 3.5 km
- Duration: 12 minutes
- Demand: Normal (1.0x)

Calculation:
Base fare: $3,000
Distance: 3.5 km × $800 = $2,800
Time: 12 min × $100 = $1,200
Surge: $0 (normal demand)

Total: $7,000 COP

Example 2: Medium Car Trip

Trip details:
- Vehicle: Carro
- Distance: 8.2 km
- Duration: 25 minutes
- Demand: High (1.5x surge)

Calculation:
Base fare: $4,500
Distance: 8.2 km × $1,200 = $9,840
Time: 25 min × $150 = $3,750
Subtotal: $18,090
Surge (50%): $18,090 × 0.5 = $9,045

Total: $27,135 COP

Example 3: Long Carro Carga Trip

Trip details:
- Vehicle: Carro Carga
- Distance: 15.8 km
- Duration: 42 minutes
- Demand: Normal (1.0x)

Calculation:
Base fare: $5,000
Distance: 15.8 km × $1,500 = $23,700
Time: 42 min × $200 = $8,400
Surge: $0

Total: $37,100 COP

Pricing Database Schema

The system stores pricing configuration in the database:

-- Pricing configuration table
CREATE TABLE pricing_config (
  id INT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
  vehicle_type ENUM('moto', 'carro', 'moto_carga', 'carro_carga'),
  base_fare DECIMAL(10,2),
  cost_per_km DECIMAL(10,2),
  cost_per_minute DECIMAL(10,2),
  minimum_fare DECIMAL(10,2),
  time_period ENUM('peak', 'normal', 'night'),
  active BOOLEAN DEFAULT TRUE,
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

Time-Based Pricing Periods

Pricing may vary based on time of day:

Peak Hours

Morning Peak: 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Evening Peak: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Higher demand
• Potential surge pricing
• More drivers online
• Longer wait times

Surge multiplier typically ranges from 1.2x to 2.0x during peak hours.

Normal Hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• Standard pricing
• Good driver availability
• Moderate demand
• Average wait times

Night Hours

11:00 PM - 6:00 AM

• Standard or slightly higher rates
• Fewer drivers available
• Lower demand
• May include safety surcharge

Night trips may have limited driver availability in some areas.

Surge Pricing

Surge pricing activates during high demand:

When Surge Applies

• Rush hours (morning and evening peaks)
• Bad weather conditions
• Special events or holidays
• Limited driver availability
• High trip request volume

How Surge Works

// Surge multiplier calculation
double calculateSurgeMultiplier() {
  final activeTrips = getActiveTripsInArea();
  final availableDrivers = getAvailableDriversInArea();
  
  final demandRatio = activeTrips / max(availableDrivers, 1);
  
  if (demandRatio < 1.0) return 1.0; // No surge
  if (demandRatio < 2.0) return 1.2; // Low surge
  if (demandRatio < 3.0) return 1.5; // Medium surge
  return 2.0; // High surge (capped)
}

You’ll always see the surge multiplier before confirming your trip. The app will show “1.5x” or similar to indicate increased pricing.

Price Estimate vs Final Fare

Estimate (Before Trip)

Based on:

• Straight-line distance
• Average traffic conditions
• Current demand level
• Selected vehicle type

Final Fare (After Trip)

Based on:

• Actual route taken
• Precise distance traveled
• Actual time duration
• Any route deviations

The final fare may differ from the estimate if the driver takes a different route or traffic conditions change significantly.

Minimum Fare

Each vehicle type has a minimum fare to ensure fair compensation for drivers:

Vehicle Type	Minimum Fare
Moto	$4,000 COP
Carro	$6,000 COP
Moto Carga	$4,500 COP
Carro Carga	$7,000 COP

Even if the calculated fare is lower, you’ll be charged the minimum.

Additional Charges

Tolls and Parking

• Tolls are added to the final fare
• Parking fees may apply for cargo deliveries
• Driver will notify you of additional charges
• Receipts provided for all extra costs

Waiting Time

• First 3 minutes free
• After 3 minutes: $50 COP per minute
• Applied if driver waits at pickup or destination
• Maximum 10 minutes waiting charge

Cancellation Fees

• Free cancellation: Within 2 minutes of booking
• After 2 minutes: $2,000 -$3,000 COP depending on vehicle type
• After driver starts moving toward you: 50% of estimated fare
• No charge if driver cancels

Commission Structure

Viax retains a commission from each trip:

// Commission calculation
final platformCommission = totalFare * 0.20; // 20%
final driverEarnings = totalFare - platformCommission;

// Example:
// Total fare: $10,000
// Platform: $2,000 (20%)
// Driver: $8,000 (80%)

Commission rates may vary for special promotions or partner companies.

Promotions and Discounts

Available Discounts

• First ride discount for new users
• Referral bonuses
• Promotional codes
• Loyalty rewards
• Corporate accounts

Applying Promo Codes

// Apply promo code to trip
final discount = await applyPromoCode(
  code: 'FIRST RIDE',
  tripEstimate: estimatedFare,
);

final finalPrice = estimatedFare - discount.amount;

Viewing Price Breakdown

Before confirming your trip, tap “Price Details” to see:

{
  "vehicle_type": "carro",
  "breakdown": {
    "base_fare": 4500,
    "distance": {
      "km": 5.2,
      "cost_per_km": 1200,
      "total": 6240
    },
    "time": {
      "minutes": 15,
      "cost_per_minute": 150,
      "total": 2250
    },
    "surge": {
      "multiplier": 1.0,
      "additional": 0
    },
    "discount": 0,
    "estimated_total": 12990
  }
}

Payment and Receipts

After trip completion:

1. Final fare is calculated
2. Payment is processed
3. Digital receipt is generated
4. Receipt sent via email
5. Available in trip history

See Payment Methods for more details.

Tips for Lower Fares

Avoid Peak Hours

Travel during normal hours to avoid surge pricing

Choose Moto

Motorcycles are more affordable for solo trips

Shorter Routes

Combine errands to minimize total distance

Use Promos

Apply promotional codes and discounts

Next Steps

Payment Methods

Set up and manage your payment options

Trip History

View past trips and fare details

Related API Endpoints

• Calculate Trip Pricing
• Get Pricing Configuration