Premises: In this snowy weather I prefer not to use my car. So – if you have to run and get to lots of places/meetings – only viable option is to use a taxi. Even if I live in an European capital that has probably 70+ active taxi companies – it’s getting more and more difficult to find a taxi. And I want to find one on the phone and not walk with my 2y old through the snow and ice until the nearest taxi station. Some background information about my country – in Romania it is free to call for a taxi. I know in France it is not.
Also – calling for a taxi – prevents unwanted situations when the driver refuses to take you because the ride is to short (yes, this happens in Romania) or because you are not going in the area they want to end up in.
Tip (for Romanian companies): Taxi companies in Bulgaria firstly ask you on the phone “Where do you go?” and only after that “Where should we pick you up from?”. This way the driver knows from the start the whole route and makes the choice to take it or not.
Problem: Even if taxis are in my area the call-center does not answer or the drivers do not take my order – for whatever reasons – i don’t care.
Offline solution: I lookout on the window, try and spot 2-3 taxis that are free (green light on top) and identify their company and call them. This way I get more chances for a driver to take the order.
Online solution: Replace looking out the window with looking on a map. Convert drivers to active marketers that want to get clients and get them to send their location (via any mobile phone with a (A-)GPS). Eventually sign deals with taxi companies that track their cars on the map. Think about it: a basic web app for the taxi driver – “broadcast location?” ON/OFF – “broadcast taxi company name” ON/OFF – “broadcast personal mobile number” ON/OFF.
And of course, clients will be able to choose who to call based on who is available around their area.
Simple as that:
- you a taxi driver? actively manifest your desire to take clients!
- looking for a taxi in a very busy/crowded day/time – just see what free taxis, willing to take clients, are available in your area.
Sky is the limit with this – you could even un up placing orders with push notifications directly on the drivers phone.
Monetization? Should come after the site has usage – i.e. clients use it and depend on it. Both clients and drivers should be interested in paying a minimal subscription to be able to acces such a service…
Anybody with me on this? :)
P.S. Vali, considering adding the above to your list.
Image source: Martin Ableggen/Flickr
