Dial-a-Cab goes live with new terminal and app
London’s only co-operative radio taxi organisation, Dial-a-Cab, have extensively road tested their new in-cab terminals and begun the process of fitting the fleet with the new equipment. They have simultaneously launched their new App, which is currently for both account and credit card customers. According to Chairman Brian Rice initial feedback is very encouraging and credit card usage in Dial-a-Cab taxis has increased quite significantly. To help encourage drivers cover even more credit card trips, the Society has announced that it will return to weekly payments and that any extra administration costs will be picked up by the Society. Unlike the previous terminal, the new equipment will have no geographical boundaries and can be used anywhere in the UK where there is a mobile phone signal.
This is especially useful when using the Knowledge Master Cabbies Mate satnav system, which is part of the new terminal. In addition to the mapping and postcode facilities, there are also over 25,000 points of interest that will help drivers to find buildings and apartments that they possibly may not be able to locate otherwise. In order to promote their new App, Dial-a-Cab have liveried a number of their fleet to help encourage passenger usage. The ‘superside’ ads include a QR (Quick Response) code both within the livery and also on the taxi tip-up seat, so that passengers can just scan it to their smart phones and then easily download it. The Dial-a-Cab Board had originally asked for volunteers to livery their cabs to promote the new App and the response from Members was overwhelming, consequently a ballot had to be arranged in order to choose the successful applicants. According to a Dial-a-Cab spokesperson, the App has an optional driver’s run-in on Credit Cards booked through the system that will be at the driver’s discretion, drivers will always receive the full metered fare and they will not be charged for the privilege of completing the trip. As a safety factor, the Dial-a-Cab PED (Pin Entry Device where the passenger’s credit card is inserted), is in the front of the taxi and passed through the partition opening. This means that should the passenger claim there is a problem with the card the driver would not have to leave the safety of his vehicle. Chairman Brian Rice told TaxiCab News: “Not only are we extremely pleased with the new terminals, but I must say how proud Dial-a-Cab is that all our software is built in-house and that so far as I am aware, we are the only taxi or private hire organisation that has the ability to do that.”
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