– Initially, the application will only concern professional taxi
– See how the "online" connection between drivers and passengers will be implemented, making journeys easier and safer
– The taxi union and the Ministry of Transport express reservations
Having already caused various reactions and discussions about the changes that applications of this type bring to the taxi travel model - as is already the case with Taxibeat, Taxiplon and Super Taxi- the American Uber has officially announced its arrival in Athens, in collaboration with professional drivers.
" uberTAXI is Uber's smartphone application that connects passengers with professional Taxi drivers on the same platform. With uberTAXI, professional Taxi drivers in Athens can improve their efficiency, taking more routes while reducing their waiting time at taxi stands. Athens is ideal for the launch of uberTAXI, as it has more than ten thousand taxi drivers ready to offer their services to passengers. The operation of uberTAXI highlights the importance of leveraging the existing transportation system, with the technology that Uber to complement the options that already exist in Athens," the company said in a statement.
“We are excited to launch the uberTAXI platform in Athens. uberTAXI gives people an easy and reliable option to get around the city. uberTAXI opens up Uber ’s platform and technology to professional taxi drivers, offering more options to both them and Athenian passengers. With the trend in transportation towards cashless transactions, uberTAXI enables drivers to improve their efficiency and offer the quality Uber experience in the vibrant Greek capital,” commented Loïc Amadò, Uber Greece spokesperson .
The Uber is available for all smartphones (iOS, Android, Windows Phones and Blackberry). Passengers need to download the app, create an account and start their trips with the touch of a button!
Uber - like other similar applications - offers the passenger information, such as the photo, the driver's name and the taxi's registration number, while the passenger also has the ability to see the taxi's route in real time as it approaches to pick them up.
Passengers also have access to a live GPS, which they can share with friends or loved ones, so they can track their route and make sure they arrive safely at their destination.
It is worth noting that, initially, the Uber had caused reactions from taxi unions and the Ministry of Transport, as it provides, among other things, for the rental of cars to non-professional taxi drivers.
However, today marks the arrival of Uber in the Greek capital, as the initial reactions were overcome. This happened because the application will initially only concern professional taxi drivers.
The UberTaxi app has caused reactions in many countries. The process of using UberTaxi is simple: a taxi is hired via a smartphone app and the customer has the vehicle of their choice waiting for them at a pre-arranged appointment.
In Attica, UberTaxi is joining Taxibeat and Taxiplon, applications that have been created for a few years by Greek companies and concern taxi hire from a mobile phone.
Source: protothema.gr
