a method for ordering transportation by means of a communication system comprising a plurality of consumer mobile communication terminals , a plurality of transportation mobile communication terminals each located in a mobile transportation vehicle , a transportation ordering server , and a communication network by means of which the transportation ordering server may communicate with the cmcts and the tmcts ; the method comprising : transmitting from one of the cmcts to the server a primary request message indicating a request for transportation and indicating a location at which transportation is required ; receiving the primary request message at the server and in response to the primary request message transmitting to two or more of the tmcts a secondary request message indicating a request for transportation and including information defining the request for transportation and indicating at least the location at which transportation is required ; receiving the secondary request messages at the said two or more tmcts ; transmitting from at least some of the said two or one or more tmcts to the server a primary response message including information defining a set of transportation characteristics including at least an estimated time to arrival at the location at which transport is required ; receiving the primary response messages at the server , and transmitting to the said one of the cmcts one or more secondary response messages indicating the sets of transportation characteristics ; receiving the secondary response messages at the said one of the cmcts and presenting the sets of transportation characteristics to a user thereof ; and transmitting from the said one of the cmcts a primary acceptance message indicating acceptance of one of the sets of characteristics .