The technological dominance of GetTaxi Ltd. in the Israeli taxi market has been strengthened with the launch of a growth engine that is expected to boost monthly taxi rides by 20%. The company has announced the launch of the GetTaxi Kiosk for ordering taxis at hundreds of businesses, in a move that breaks the borders of the smartphone where the company's popular taxi ordering app has operated to date.
The idea behind the GetTaxi Kiosk is to make it easier for businesses, such as hotels, healthcare funds, assisted living facilities, restaurants, and garages to order a taxi with a click. The kiosks can serve elderly people without smartphones at assisted living facilities on one hand, and pub-goers who prefer ordering a taxi rather than driving home drunk, on the other. The solution is also useful for people whose smartphone battery has died and have to order a taxi in an area where no taxis are on the streets.
The system, works on the basis of the kiosk's location and sends an SMS to the customer when the taxi is waiting outside. Initially, payment for the ride is only possible by cash to the driver, but payment by credit card will be available later.
Customers which have already installed the GetTaxi Kiosk include Leumit Health Fund, the Carasso Science Park in Beersheva, and Google Israel Ltd. GetTaxi says that the service is free and involves no commitment.
GetTaxi said in response, "This is a groundbreaking step with a double purpose: to increase the number of orders for drivers, and to make GetTaxi's service more accessible for consumers."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 10, 2014
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