October 10, 2004
Too Few Drivers For Mobile Service
Although popular with passengers, Zingo mobile phone taxi hailing service launched just over a year ago in London is struggling to sign up drivers and has twice as many passenger requests as available drivers, reports 16ocharacters.org.
"Launched in April 2003, the service quickly proved popular with passengers. The number of drivers grew up to December 2003 to over 900 licensed taxis in London and is also available in Dartford in Kent, but is now running at a loss.
When a passenger makes a call to Zingo from their mobile, location-based technology pinpoint where they are, whilst global positioning satellites identify Zingo taxis in the vicinity.
Within seconds passengers are automatically connected to the cab driver on his hands-free mobile phone. Zingo taxi The passenger then gives the driver their precise location, who in turn switches off the ‘for hire' light and come straight to collect them.
With the popular customer response to the service, Zingo is not giving up. It plans to increase its efforts to recruit drivers during the autumn, including continued discussions with existing radio circuits to use their drivers.
Zingo have also had a number of discussions with organisations about licensing the Zingo system for use in cities abroad."
Related articles and services:
-- Drive to outfit Techno Taxis - New York has started the process of placing technological enhancements inside yellow cabs.
-- Paying for a cab fare with a mobile phone - Boston cabs allow passengers to pay for fares with their favorite credit card using a new mobile commerce solution.
-- Australian cabs to become moving targets for advertisers - Australian IT reports that in coming months taxi passengers around Australia will find the hi-tech, internet-accessible screens, and .... become moving targets for advertisers!
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