Taxi Driver Online

SMS-based taxi carpool service launches

Technology firm Crane Dragon has begun testing a new taxi service in Liverpool that encourages travellers to text a taxi request via their mobiles, and then share the journey with other passengers going to the same area.

The ‘Texxi’ service allows users to text their house address and postcode to the Texxi SMS number. The system will then aggregate other passengers wanting to go to the same area and confirm details of the taxi driver’s name and badge number to the passengers.

Passengers will be directed to pre-determined ‘muster points’ to meet up with their driver who will have received a text confirming each passenger’s booking reference.

The firm said the service has the potential to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions by decreasing the number and distance of taxi journeys, while increasing revenues for cab drivers.

Crane Dragon said passenger will pre-pay a flat fee of £5, regardless of the journeys distance. In turn, the taxi driver will be able to collect up to £25 for a journey that could normally earn them less than £10.

The firm is encouraging taxi drivers to sign up to the scheme by offering an increased share of the revenue in the first year to the first 50 drivers who participate in service. Texxi is being promoted online through a series of viral clips created by UK director Toa Stappard.

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IDFIMH

thats the sort of thing where the customers get stung once and never use it again. why would they want to pay £25 for a trip that would be £10 from a normal booking?

Yes, looks like another paper-based idea that will be a disaster in practice.

I mean, who will pay a fiver for a cab then go to a 'muster point' where they will meet the driver?

What happens if they are late or don't turn up?

Even if the punter saves a quid or so, will it be worth the hassle for them?

They'll have to get to the muster point, then perhaps wait a while for the others, then they could double their journey time with five smelly strangers because they will be dumped last.

Dear oh dear

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