For the longest time, taxis have been the backbone of the urban commuting industry. It came with its own share of advantages and disadvantages though. Before, complaints about reckless driving and rude drivers gave the taxi a notorious name. So notorious, in fact, that when ride sharing apps came into the picture, the preference of commuters quickly went to the newcomers. It was a mess after that, with taxi companies suing the city and ride sharing apps standing firm on their new-found market.
Taxi Overhaul
Even without the bickering, though, ride sharing apps sent a clear signal of dominance to taxi companies across Chicago. If traditional taxis wanted to compete on the same level, then it had to play the ride sharing app’s game. With this, Universal Taxi Dispatch has released its new app. This app is meant to make the advantages of using a taxi more felt by its users. It promises total convenience and all the safety regulations, from qualified drivers to safe cars, that government laws mandate.
App Features
The updated taxi system that now makes use of apps has plenty of neat features for you. You simply have to go to the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store to download the Universal Taxi Dispatch App. Almost all of the Android devices can handle this app. For iPhone users, the app is optimized for iPhone 5 use. IOS 6 or higher is needed to run this app. After logging in, you book a taxi that is in your area, and wait for your service to arrive. You can monitor where your ride is on the real-time map provided. In here, you can also get an estimate for your total fare based on your pickup point and destination. Safety is also ensured because all driver and car details will be displayed on your screen. You can also call the taxi driver directly for good measure. There are also a couple of novel app features available. One of them is that you can now specify the kind of vehicle you prefer. This comes in extra handy when you also want to use another feature which is specifying the number of passengers in the ride. Lastly, feedback options are available for your use. Taxis are bound by government rules with regard to safety. Any misconduct can result in penalties and fines (credit brittany). These kinds of restrictions, of course, help guarantee a safe and hassle-free ride with every use of the app.
Sources:
http://alternativeto.net/software/u-taxi-dispatch/ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/universal-taxi/id941145239?mt=8 http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141106/river-north/cab-drivers-friendlier-than-usual-uber-lyft-competition-could-be-why