Transport Organisation overview
The system includes a module that lets you assign pets to transport vans/buses for collection and drop-off (pet taxi or pickup runs). To enable this feature go to Settings > Transport/Vans, which is located within the settings area.
This article covers planning which van collects which pet. To charge for pickups and drop-offs, see Taxi/Transport Services.
How to turn on Transport
On Settings > Transport/Vans, switch on Offer Transport. This is the master switch.
Under Available for, tick the services you offer transport with, for example your boarding and daycare services. Only ticked services are listed on the Transport page.
Click Save.
How to add your transport vehicles
Next up you need to add in your transport vehicles, so you can begin assigning pets to particular vehicles.
In the Vehicles section, click Add Vehicle.
Enter the Vehicle name.
Under Capacity per Day, enter how many pets the vehicle can carry each day. Fill in every day, and use 0 for days it doesn't go out.
Choose a Sort order if you want the vehicles in a set order.
Click Add Vehicle.
For example the following settings would create a vehicle called the "Big Red Bus", and allow a max of 12 dogs on a Monday, 15 dogs from Tuesday to Friday, 10 on Saturdays and 0 on Sundays.
To change or remove a vehicle, click Edit beside it. Click Add Vehicle to save your changes, or Delete vehicle to remove it.
Assigning bookings to vehicles
Once you have added in your vehicles and selected the services, exit out of the settings and go into the Transport link in the left hand menu. The page is called Transport Organisation.
Choose the day in Select Date and click Search. The page opens on today.
In the Transport Assignments list, use the drop-downs beside each booking. Use Collect & Dropoff Van to put the booking on the same van both ways, or use Collect Van and Dropoff Van to pick a different van for each route.
Click Save. The page then goes back to today's date.
The list shows all bookings for your ticked services on that day, not just the ones needing transport. Boarding, board and train and homestay bookings show on their check-in day and their check-out day. Other services show on the booking day. Cancelled and provisional bookings aren't listed.
Each van in the drop-downs shows the spaces left for that day, counted in pets.
How to export transport routes to a CSV file
At the bottom of the page you can export the pets' details into a CSV file that you can import into route mapping systems for your drivers.
Under Export, choose the Van, or leave it blank to export everything listed for that day.
With a van chosen, choose the Direction: Pick-up and Drop-off, Pick Up or Drop Off.
Click Routific Export.
The file has the customer's name, address, phone and email, the check-in and check-out times, and the booking and customer notes, in a layout made for Routific.
What Transport Organisation doesn't do
It doesn't stop you going over a van's capacity. It only shows the spaces left.
It doesn't add a charge. To charge for transport, add a taxi service: see Taxi/Transport Services.
It doesn't tell customers which van they're on, and pet parents don't see it in the portal.
It doesn't assign vans automatically or plan the route.
Transport Organisation: frequently asked questions
Can I set a usual van for a customer?
Yes. On the customer's profile, choose a Preferred Transport Route. It shows under the drop-down on the Transport Organisation page as a reminder. It doesn't assign the van for you.
Can a pet go on one van for pickup and another for drop-off?
Yes. On the Transport Organisation page, leave Collect & Dropoff Van blank and choose a different van in Collect Van and Dropoff Van.
Does the van capacity count pets or bookings?
Pets. A booking with two pets takes up two spaces on the van.
Can I export a list without using Routific?
Yes. Routific Export is a plain CSV file, so you can open it in Excel or import it into another route planner that accepts CSV files.
Transport Organisation: common problems
I can't see Transport in my menu
Transport only shows when Offer Transport is switched on under Settings > Transport/Vans.
The page says "No Transport Bookings"
Transport Organisation found no bookings for the selected date. Try another date, and check that the service is ticked under Available for on Settings > Transport/Vans.
A booking isn't listed on the Transport page
Transport Organisation only lists ticked services. Daycare and other same-day bookings only show on the booking day. Cancelled and provisional bookings aren't listed.
"Please add a number" when adding a vehicle
Every day under Capacity per Day needs a number. Enter 0 for days the vehicle doesn't go out.
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