Taxi apps are an easy way to avoid the hassle of standing on a street corner, frantically trying to flag down a cab. It’s no surprise that plenty of people have jumped into the space, with the latest addition being Cabify.
The Madrid-based service is different in that it revolves around luxury cars rather than ordinary cabs. Launched only six weeks ago, Cabify has already proved a hit, growing to over 20,000 users and nearly 3,000 rides already. It has also announced a major expansion to 15 major European cities in 2012, including Berlin where it is expected to arrive in the first half of the year.
Cabify was founded in July 2011 by Stanford graduate, Juan de Antonio, who said: “Our Madrid pilot has been a great learning experience for the company and positions us to expand rapidly to other cities in the world.”
The service uses geolocation to enable users to request a pickup from luxury cars in the area, which is then instantly sent on to the driver. There is also the ability for users to track where the car is, call the driver and pay by card.
But what competition is Cabify facing? In Germany alone there is already a wide range of taxi apps:
Get Taxi: Get Taxi enables its users to order, pay for and track their taxis, whilst also earning reward points for free taxi rides in the future. Expanding across Europe since August 2011, the app features several add-ons, such as allowing both the driver and rider to view each other’s previous ride ratings.
myTaxi: After its initial launch in Hamburg in March 2010, myTaxi claims to be the largest worldwide taxi system, boasting 7,000 registered drivers. The service also allows its users to order a cab directly without having to track down an individual firm.
Taxi.de: Launched in September 2011, the app comes in eight languages and is tailored towards an international market. Taxi.de gives its users a comprehensive and up-to-date list of local taxi companies, and where possible, allows online bookings. The app features various add-ons, such as allowing its user to compare taxi prices.
Taxi.eu: Available in eight countries and offering more than 40,000 taxis, Taxi.eu automatically determines your position using GPS and sends a taxi out to you. By clicking on the ‘options’ feature its users can specify their needs; anything from an English speaking driver to a cab with a child seat. Launched in 2012, the app also features a fare calculator where you can work out prior to departure how much your ride will cost.
Taxi Berlin: This app allows users to order a taxi in two simple clicks. The cab is assigned based on the user’s location and they will immediately receive confirmation of the car number and pick up time. Launched in the summer of 2011, the app allows you to enter any special needs you may have, as well as selecting a preferred payment method. Taxi Berlin selects the shortest journey available and its users can track this journey whilst riding in the taxi.
TaxiPal: The TaxiPal app is free to download and works in more than 2,500 cities, including in Germany. The app connects you with trusted taxi companies and shows you their tariffs and user ratings. Intended for those who are new to a city and do not have local taxi numbers saved in their phone, the TaxiPal app offers a safe form of transport. The app converts the rate into your own currency and the database also includes a list of local attractions, businesses and points of interest. The app has been available for iPhones since February 2010 and for Nokia devices since August 2011.
EcoTaxiBerlin: For the green-minded out there, this is an app that allows its users to pick an eco-friendly taxi using low-emission drive systems such as natural gas, LPG or hybrid technology.
And finally, for the future – one to keep an eye on is BetterTaxi. Currently in private beta, the app launches in 47 days.