Category Archives: Taxi App

Lyft is now giving rush hour commuters the ability to schedule their Lyft Shuttle rides seven days in advance.

Lyft Shuttle was unveiled in March as a rush-hour carpooling option in which drivers pick-up and drop-off passengers at certain intersections along a fixed route. The rides usually cost about $3 to $4 each and are only available 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

Now that riders can schedule rides in advance, as opposed to just minutes before, riders can settle into a routine, Lyft said.

“It’s the perfect ride option for anyone who’s ever struggled to think straight before their first cup of coffee,” the company said.

“Shuttle is one of the many ways we’re working to reduce the number of empty seats on the street, so we can free up road capacity, and make it easier for everyone to get around our cities.

The new scheduling option allows riders to schedule between 15 minutes to 7 days before a needed ride. The app would notify riders eight minutes before their scheduled Shuttle arrives.

Earlier this year, Lyft said “rider and driver interest for Shuttle in Chicago is growing” and the service has had steady week-over-week growth. The service had started with three routes and expanding to six. The routes connect Downtown with Uptown, Wicker Park and Brighton Park.

While these initial Lyft routes were designed to cover high-demand areas, the rideshare company said it plans “to extend these low-cost rides to areas where affordable transit options are limited.”

Here’s an updated map of the routes that are currently running:

Review, Taxi App

Uber And Lyft Giving Refunds For Surge Pricing During CTA Stoppage

August 18, 2017 utdblogger

Uber and Lyft have refunded people who had to pay costly surge prices when the Brown, Red and Purple lines were down earlier this week.

Uber said it gave refunds to people who “experienced higher-than-average prices in the affected” areas on Tuesday morning. The refund will cover what people paid versus the average cost of a trip on a weekday morning.

The train lines were down on the North Side for about three hours, leading to a high demand for Uber and Lyft rides. Those rides came with eye-popping prices, such as $110 to get from Lakeview to the Loop. That trip could cost as little as $13 without surge pricing.

“Every transportation provider — public and private — has a role to play in keeping our communities moving,” Uber said in an emailed statement on Thursday. “And due to the tragic incident Tuesday morning, our communities felt stranded.

“While we took steps to help mitigate the impact on commuters as soon as we learned of the CTA stoppage, we have issued refunds to riders who experienced higher-than-average prices in the affected areas.”

Lyft was up 5½ times its usual rate during the scramble. Uber rates were 3½ times the normal fare, according to a rider.

Uber said the refunds will not impact drivers who logged rides during the CTA stoppage.

News, Review, Taxi App

Uber Adds In-App Tipping For Chicago Drivers

June 22, 2017 utdblogger

You’ll soon be able to tip your Uber driver in Chicago.

Uber, which allows people to hail rides through an app, is rolling out an update that will allow people to tip their drivers after a trip. Drivers were not able to accept tips through the app previously.

Riders will be able to give drivers preset tips of $1, $2 or $5, or they can enter a custom amount through the app. Users will have up to 30 days after a ride to tip their driver.

Tipping will be optional “but always appreciated,” according to Uber’s website, and no service fees will be added on to the tip.

The service is already available in Seattle, Minneapolis and Houston, but Uber hopes to have it in every city — including Chicago — by the end of July.

Tipping will also be available for those who use UberEats, a food-delivery service with Uber drivers.

Review, Taxi App

Thousands Of Cab Owners Will Go Bankrupt In Fight With Uber, Lyft: Report

June 5, 2017 utdblogger

Hundreds of taxi medallions have been foreclosed on this year and the city’s taxi drivers union says “thousands more” may be coming as the industry struggles to compete with services like Uber and Lyft.

The Cab Drivers United AFSCME Council 31 released a report showing that 774 taxi medallions — required to operate a cab — have been given back to the city as owners have been unable to pay the taxes and license fees associated with it.

“Thousands more foreclosures are likely,” said Tracey Abman, associate director of the union.

“For many purchasing a medallion was an investment in their future,” Abman said. “Many are now facing a possibility of a lien being put on their home.”

Some 370 taxi medallions changed ownership at an average price of $348,466 in 2013. This year, one was sold for $35,000.

The report examines city data and interviews Chicago’s owners and taxi drivers who have seen revenue in their industry dry up because of competition from ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft.

Among the findings in the report:

• The number of rides in January 2017 (1.1 million) dropped 52 percent from the number of rides in January 2014 (2.29 million). A DNAinfo analysis of city data in 2016 found a 23 percent drop in rides from the previous year.

• As of March, 42 percent of Chicago’s nearly 7,000 taxis have been inactive, not being used for a single fare. In March 2014, only 16 percent of taxis were out of service.

• People who own and operate their own taxis spend an average of $44,000 in loans, city fees and other expenses like gas. In 2013, such drivers made $19,000 in profit per year. In 2016, they lost on average $4,000.

The union is seeking new measures from the city that will help taxi cab owners and operators that include amending the owner code such that owners do not need to buy new vehicles if older vehicles pass inspections, allow taxi drivers to pay their ground transportation tax in installments rather than lump sums and remove vehicle license renewal fees.

“There’s forces closing in on these small business owners and they don’t know where to turn,” Abman said.

Thousands Of Cab Owners Will Go Bankrupt In Fight With Uber, Lyft: Report – West Ridge – DNAinfo Chicago

By Tanveer Ali DNA-Info

News, Taxi App

Ventra: The Must-Have App for Chicago Transit

December 12, 2016 utdblogger

As a native Chicagoan, it still impresses me to be a part of the second-largest public transportation system in the United States. The majority of those living in the Chicagoland area learned a long time ago that public transportation is the more affordable and least stressful way to travel. The Ventra app provides a convenient new tool for a traveling public that wants smart apps to simplify fare payment.

With so many apps on the market today one might be surprised to learn how few of them actually meet our most basic needs. However, the new Ventra app in Chicago does not fall into this category. This one is a must-have.

The Ventra app – rolled out in November 2015 – allows riders of the three regional agencies (Chicago Transit Authority, Pace suburban bus operator and Metra commuter rail) to meet their ticketing needs with ease and convenience. Gone are the days of having to remember if your pass has expired or your account balance is low because you can elect to receive account notifications. And you can say goodbye to standing in long lines at a store or station to purchase a ticket or pass at the risk of missing your bus or train.

With an Illinois state law requiring the three regional transit agencies to adopt a universal fare system by 2015, Metra needed a way to transition from a paper-based system and provide its riders who otherwise couldn’t participate in the original Ventra account-based contactless smart card system the ability to do so. However, because Metra is a proof-of-payment system relying on ticket inspection by a conductor, this posed a challenge. CTA, Metra and Pace moved forward with the logical next step to create an app that essentially put Ventra and Metra vending machines in the pockets of customers. Metra customers using the app can now purchase tickets and display them on their mobile phones to conductors. The app has been a resounding success with more than 250,000 downloads within the first two months of launch, and a million rides used on Metra through Metra mobile tickets purchased on the app.

Other features of the app include Ventra account management and real-time transit tracker information for CTA, Metra and Pace – all in one place.

With such positive response, it’s no wonder Chicago leads the way with this multi-purpose app

Press Release, Taxi App

Chicago’s Plans on Mobile App for Taxi Services Approved

March 27, 2015 utdblogger

Some months back, we came out with an article that mentioned how the new Uber taxi service was wreaking havoc among the taxis in Chicago. Not only did we talk about the actual service but we also delved into the how and why it was so popular, along with some information on the pros and cons of such a service. The taxi drivers in the city were predictably not happy with Uber and how it was “stealing” customers from them but now, they might actually have a fighting chance.

Universal Taxi App Etc.

In an effort to help taxi drivers in the city gain the upper hand with ridesharing services like Uber, Chicago has approved a plan to become sponsor to an app that riders can use to contact local cabs should they need a cab to ride. This measure was put in place as part of a larger package that include, among others, financial support for local taxi operators in the area. The measure also included free breaks for cab drivers and this was supported by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.

Brains behind the plan was a union that expanded to include cab drivers and organized Chicago just this 2014 pushed really hard for the approval of the package.

According to Chicago Councilman Emma Mitts, who happens to be a co-sponsor for the ordinance, this new package which includes the app is their way of levelling the playing field between cabs and ridesharing services.

Uber Growing

Looking at how Uber is used, it comes as no surprise that the mobile app for local taxis in Chicago is what they consider the best way to level the playing field. After all, Uber does have an app that lets people with mobile phones call drivers—and it is growing in a massive scale all over the world. However, some concerns have been raised as to how fair this is to cabs and also, some buzz has been heard about how safe these Uber drivers are and how the company uses the data they gather from users. The last issue is what has gotten Uber banned from some parts of countries like the US, Thailand, and India.

When asked to comment about the proposed app by the Chicago government for the local cabs, Uber did not have a direct reply. However, they did choose to say that the efficiency of its service, along with the safety, are far superior than what the local taxi industry had to offer.

App Release

There is no word yet on how the mobile app for local taxis in Chicago will be administered and who will be paying for the app. Right now, it is in the planning and development changes. However, we are happy to note that Chicago is the first city to do this and it might just be what their local taxi drivers need in order to hold their own against ridesharing services. In fact, some taxi drivers have acknowledged this first step and have confessed that they are excited about it. However, for a fully developed app that can summon local taxis Universal Taxi already has the answer and you can check that here.

Taxi App

The Benefits of the Universal Taxi Dispatch App

December 23, 2014 utdblogger

Here in Chicago, the taxi has been a part of everyday life. To keep itself abreast with all the technological changes happening recently, cab service apps are now available showcasing the latest features. In particular, Universal Taxi Dispatch has come out with a fresh new app to accommodate every customer transportation need.

App Advantages

There are many advantages to the Universal Taxi Dispatch app. Using it, you get to book a ride with just a few clicks. You can get fare estimates based from your pickup and destination points. You can communicate with the taxi driver and get all relevant car information for identification. You can monitor the taxi location remotely and in real-time. Some more features are the ability to choose vehicle type and specify number of passengers to ensure the best ride. The app can also store your activity for the past 30 days and keep an address book of your favorite addresses.

How to Begin

So how does it work? To start using this app, first download it from your operating system’s app store. The Universal Taxi Dispatch app is compatible with both Android and most Apple mobile devices, so you can find the app in Google Store and iTunes App Store, respectively. It is important to note that this app requires iOS 6 or higher to run. It is compatible to use with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Follow the step by step process after that which involves signing in, booking a taxi, and smoothly getting from your pick-up point to your destination.

Passenger Safety

Passenger safety is one our top considerations. To ensure this, only licensed and qualified drivers are allowed to operate on the road. We are sure to deliver nothing but top rated service with every ride because your safety is our business, every single time. You can also use the app to give customer suggestions and comments to improve the quality of service.

App Safety

Like with all apps, the Universal Taxi Dispatch app needs a few permissions from you in order to work. These are the app permissions you need to be aware of:

finding your identity using accounts on the device

accessing your contacts and calendar
locating you via GPS and phone network

Sources:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/universal-taxi/id941145239?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apcurium.MK.UniversalTaxi&hl=en

http://alternativeto.net/software/u-taxi-dispatch/

Taxi App

Universal Taxi Dispatch App for Newbies

December 19, 2014 utdblogger

Universal Taxi Dispatch App for Newbies

When getting from your location to a different destination around Chicago, a cab is still the best option to consider. This ensures that you have a driver licensed by the government to chauffeur people around the safest and fastest way possible with minimal or no problems along the way. And to make it even more convenient for those travelling around the Cook, Kane and DuPage counties, Universal Taxi has introduced an app that you can download and use to request for a cab the fastest way possible.

Here are a few perks that come with the app:

3 Clicks to Book. In as fast as three clicks, you can let your driver know where to pick you up and where to drop you off. This is perfect for those whose smartphones are always within reach (which includes almost everybody around Chicago).

Fair Fare Estimate. The app comes with a fare estimation service, allowing you to input your location and your destination to get a close estimate of how much you’re going to pay. There are also areas that have flat rates, making it easier for you to find out if you’re staying within budget.

Track Your Booking. Once you have booked a taxi using the app, you will immediately use a confirmation number and the vehicle number for the cab dispatched. You can also check the map and see where the vehicle is, allowing you to estimate how much time you have left to get ready.

Customize Your Booking. Each booking allows you to state how many passengers there are and what type of vehicle you prefer. You can also choose your preferred method of payment beforehand to make it easier to pay later on.

Customize the App. The app allows you to mark the places you frequently go to and come from, and even lets you tag a custom name for each of them to make it easier to use as reference for future use. You can also review all the reservations that you have made the past 30 days in case you need the information for tracking purposes.

Provide Feedback. The app allows you to provide feedback each time you use the service, whether it be app-related, driver-related, or vehicle-related.

Easy Contact. This app also allows you to contact Universal Taxi at the touch of a button, eliminating the need to find it on your phonebook in case you need to speak with them directly.

Sounds interesting so far? Download the app now through the App Store or through Google Play.

Insight, Taxi App

Sizing Up the Competition: Rideshare vs Taxi Services

December 15, 2014 utdblogger

Taxi services have taken people around for as long as I can imagine, but recent enhancements to technology have given people other options, such as ridesharing services. This has, of course, given cabbies quite a headache given how stiffer the competition has become. Let’s see how traditional taxi services compare to the new ridesharing services, and decide where passengers are getting better value for their money.

Ridesharing Services

Rideshare gives both drivers and passengers the convenience of linking one to the other through just a few taps on their smartphones. Passengers do not even need to shell out any cash or take out their credit cards; the app itself takes care of the payment. Cab sharing services like Lyft and Uber also offer promos every so often, sometimes allowing drivers to have a higher percentage of the earnings at specific hours. For drivers, this is very, very good news considering how little investment they shell out (as they use their own car), how flexible their hours are, and how bigger they take home in earnings after expenses. For passengers however, there could also be problems outside of the convenience. Rideshare drivers do not have to get a special license to qualify as one, nor are they required to pay for insurance. Rideshare companies also claim to conduct background investigation on each of the drivers before accepting them, but there have been numerous reports of rideshare drivers having criminal records or displaying bad or offensive attitude. Yes, the app allows you to rate the driver so that they can block the driver’s account if anyone reports anything bad. But what good is a bad rating if something bad has already happened?

Taxi Services

Taxi drivers and companies in Chicago seem to have the worse part of the bargain here especially in terms of investment. To be able to operate a cab in the city, you would need to have a medallion, which could cost roughly around $300,000. Taxis also have to be replaced every four years, which means that you would have to use those years to save up for a new car after that period. You also pay roughly $600 a month for insurance, taxes, gas, and other expenses. As far as the quality of services is concerned, taxi drivers go through so much just to be given a license to become a taxi driver. You need a clean driving record, pay for insurance, and pass an exam, a physical, and a number of other qualifiers. Taxi services have also been upgrading their services to make it more convenient for passengers to book them. Aside from allowing you to call them or book online, Universal Taxi now offers a downloadable app that allows you to call for a taxi wherever you are.

So now, you decide. Should you leave your safety to a common person with a driving license and an old car, or to a cabbie driver licensed to chauffeur passengers?

Press Release, Taxi App

Filing a Complaint Using The Universal Taxi App

December 4, 2014 utdblogger

The technology of smartphones has certainly advanced far quicker than many other things in Chicago. One of the things that almost did it for the taxi industry was the emergence of so-called “ride sharing” apps. For a while it looked bleak for traditional cab companies because of the unregulated nature of these ride-sharing apps. Nowadays, cab companies are restoring the balance with full-featured apps which bring back the balance and competitiveness of the good old taxi. As a perfect example, the new Universal Taxi Dispatch Service app is now available for download.

The Differences between the Apps

One of the many complaints against ride sharing apps is the lack of control over customer service. Services suck as Uber or Lyft do not offer phone customer service at all. Taxi drivers and companies are subject to government-enforced penalties such as fines and suspension of licenses because of poor service. In fact, complaints made over the local hotline are the only things needed to make a case against taxis. This check keeps taxi drivers and operators on their best behavior every time. On the other hand, the lack of jurisdiction over ride sharing drivers means an almost free-for-all in terms of passenger safety and insurance. The refusal of ride sharing apps to disclose the number of complaints against their ride quality is also a red flag that sends a clear signal against their business ethics.

Using the App

The Universal Taxi Dispatch app requires a download before it can be used. This can be done with the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store because both Android and iOS are fully supported by the app. All you need to do is sign in, locate a taxi nearby, and book it using your mobile device.

Of course, there are unique functions and perks to using this app. The first consideration is the availability of information on your taxi service vehicle and driver which you can request anytime. You can monitor the location of your taxi on a map at the touch of your screen. You can also make a call to your taxi driver via the app.

Another important feature of this app is the ability to file a complaint. It is simple because it comes as a regular feature in the app. Go to the customer support section and input any comments and suggestions you have for Universal Taxi. Rest assured, these are taken seriously and will reflect on the continued improvement of the taxi service.