Fixing Inconsistent Travel Class Options And Invalid Routes For Ground Transport

Hey guys,

We've got a bug report here that highlights some inconsistencies in our travel booking system, specifically concerning travel class options and route validations for ground transport. Let's dive into the details and figure out how we can make things smoother for our users.

🐞 Issue Description

So, the main issue is in the Train booking section, where the travel class options are a bit off. Instead of showing train-specific classes like Sleeper, 2A, 3A, and Chair Car, the system is displaying flight options such as Economy and Business. This can be pretty confusing for users who are expecting to see relevant train classes.

Adding to that, for Bus, Train, and Cab bookings, the system is allowing international routes, which, let's be honest, isn't very realistic. We need to ensure that these modes of transport restrict travel within the same country based on the selected locations. Imagine someone trying to book a cab from New York to Paris – not quite feasible, right?

This issue is important because it directly affects the user experience. When users see incorrect options, it can lead to frustration and a lack of trust in the system. It’s crucial to provide accurate and relevant information to ensure a smooth booking process. We need to make sure that the travel classes displayed are appropriate for the mode of transport selected, and that the routes offered are actually viable.

To fix this, we need to implement a solution that dynamically adjusts the travel class options based on the chosen transport mode. For train bookings, we should only show train-specific classes. For buses and cabs, which typically don’t have class selections, we should either hide these options or disable them. Additionally, we need to add a geographical restriction to prevent users from selecting international routes for bus, train, and cab bookings. This involves integrating a system that checks the departure and destination locations and flags any cross-country selections.

This issue also touches on the importance of data integrity. Allowing users to book unrealistic routes can lead to errors further down the line, such as booking failures or incorrect pricing. By validating the routes at the point of selection, we can prevent these issues and ensure that the system only processes valid bookings. This proactive approach not only improves the user experience but also reduces the workload on our support teams by minimizing the number of error-related queries.

Ultimately, resolving this issue will enhance the overall quality of our travel booking system. It will make the platform more intuitive and user-friendly, encouraging more users to trust and rely on our services. This attention to detail in the user interface and booking process can set us apart from competitors and build a stronger reputation in the market.

💡 Expected Behavior

Okay, so let's talk about what we should be seeing. The expected behavior here is pretty straightforward:

• Travel class options should be customized based on the transport mode selected. This means:
  • For Trains: We should only display relevant options like Sleeper, 2A, 3A, and Chair Car.
  • For Bus/Cab: Since these typically don't have class selections, we should either hide the class selection or disable it altogether.
• We need to implement geographic restrictions for Bus, Train, and Cab bookings to prevent users from selecting cross-country travel. This means:
  • The system should display an error or a warning if a user tries to choose departure and destination cities in different countries.

Making these changes will significantly improve the user experience. When users select a mode of transport, they should see options that are relevant and make sense for that mode. For example, if someone is booking a train, they should see train-specific classes, not flight classes. This reduces confusion and makes the booking process more intuitive. Similarly, preventing international routes for ground transport modes will avoid unrealistic bookings and potential errors.

To implement these changes effectively, we need to focus on both the user interface and the backend logic. On the UI side, we can use conditional rendering to display the appropriate travel class options based on the selected transport mode. This means the dropdown menu or selection list will change dynamically depending on whether the user has chosen a train, bus, or cab. On the backend, we need to integrate a geolocation or country check logic that validates the departure and destination cities. This check should be triggered when the user selects the cities, and if the cities are in different countries, an error message should be displayed.

This integration of UI and backend solutions is crucial for ensuring a seamless user experience. The error messages should be clear and informative, guiding the user to correct their input. For example, if a user selects a bus route from New York to Toronto, the system should display a message like, “Bus travel is only available within the same country. Please select cities within the same country.” This level of detail helps users understand the issue and how to resolve it.

By implementing these expected behaviors, we’re not just fixing a bug; we’re enhancing the overall usability and reliability of our system. This attention to detail builds trust with our users and makes our platform a preferred choice for travel bookings.

Impact

The impact of these issues might seem small, but they can actually cause quite a few problems:

• Misleading class options can reduce user trust and overall experience. Imagine a user trying to book a train and seeing flight classes – they might think the system is buggy or unreliable.
• Lack of route validation can lead to unrealistic bookings or even system errors down the line. If someone books an impossible route, it can cause issues with scheduling, pricing, and more.

When users encounter misleading options, it doesn’t just create confusion; it erodes their confidence in the platform. They might start questioning the accuracy of other information displayed and become hesitant to complete their bookings. This can lead to a drop in user engagement and potentially drive users to seek alternative booking platforms. The perceived lack of attention to detail can damage the platform’s reputation and make it harder to attract and retain users.

Furthermore, the absence of proper route validation can have significant operational impacts. Allowing users to book unrealistic routes can result in booking failures, incorrect pricing calculations, and scheduling conflicts. These issues can lead to increased customer service inquiries and support requests, adding to the workload of our support teams. Additionally, downstream systems that rely on the booking data may encounter errors, leading to further complications and potential financial losses. For instance, if a booking system allows an international bus route, it could lead to incorrect fare calculations and potential logistical nightmares when the booking cannot be fulfilled.

The long-term effects of these issues can be even more damaging. If left unaddressed, they can create a perception that the platform is unreliable and prone to errors. This can negatively impact user retention and acquisition, as users are less likely to recommend a platform that they don’t trust. Moreover, the cost of fixing these issues can increase over time if they are allowed to persist. Addressing them proactively is not only beneficial for the user experience but also for the overall health and sustainability of the platform.

In essence, the impact of these inconsistencies goes beyond simple user frustration. It touches on the core aspects of user trust, operational efficiency, and the long-term viability of the platform. Fixing these issues is an investment in the platform’s future and a commitment to providing a high-quality user experience.

Suggested Fixes

Alright, let's get into some suggested fixes for these issues. We've got a couple of key areas to tackle here:

• We need to implement conditional dropdown rendering based on the selected transport mode. This means the travel class options should change dynamically depending on whether the user chooses a train, bus, or cab.
• We should also integrate a geolocation/country check logic for the departure and destination fields in the Bus, Train, and Cab modules. This will help prevent users from selecting routes that cross international borders.

To address the first issue, conditional dropdown rendering can be implemented using JavaScript or a similar client-side scripting language. When a user selects a transport mode, the script can dynamically update the travel class options in the dropdown menu. For trains, the options would include Sleeper, 2A, 3A, and Chair Car. For buses and cabs, the travel class option can be hidden or disabled since they typically don't have class selections. This ensures that users only see relevant options, reducing confusion and improving the booking experience.

For the geographic restrictions, integrating a geolocation or country check logic is essential. This can be achieved by using a combination of APIs and database lookups. When a user enters a departure and destination city, the system can use a geolocation API to determine the country of each city. If the countries are different, an error message should be displayed, informing the user that cross-country travel is not supported for the selected mode of transport. This proactive approach prevents unrealistic bookings and potential system errors.

The implementation of these fixes should also include thorough testing and validation. We need to ensure that the conditional dropdown rendering works seamlessly across different browsers and devices. The geolocation check logic should be accurate and reliable, handling edge cases and potential errors gracefully. It’s also crucial to provide clear and informative error messages to guide users when they encounter issues. For example, the error message should explain why the selected route is not possible and suggest alternative options.

By implementing these fixes, we’re not just addressing the immediate issues but also enhancing the overall robustness and usability of the platform. This proactive approach to bug fixing and system improvement demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality user experience and building trust with our users. Ultimately, a more reliable and user-friendly platform will lead to increased user satisfaction and engagement.

📷 Screenshots

Here's a screenshot that shows the issue: