Taxis and ride-sharing in Toronto

[Admiral Beez]

Anyone using Hailo? https://www.hailocab.com/toronto

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1042841/toronto-says-hailo-to-popular-taxi-app

It's up and running in Boston http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2013/04/boston-taxi-app-hailo-uber-lawsuit.html

I suppose the photo app would allow driver (and passenger) to discriminate based on looks.

Looks like the taxi dispatch firms are annoyed.

 

[Southcore]

Anyone using Hailo? https://www.hailocab.com/toronto

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1042841/toronto-says-hailo-to-popular-taxi-app

It's up and running in Boston http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2013/04/boston-taxi-app-hailo-uber-lawsuit.html

I suppose the photo app would allow driver (and passenger) to discriminate based on looks.

Looks like the taxi dispatch firms are annoyed.

I've used it several times and love it. I used it last Saturday and the driver even gave me a $5 code for the next time I use it - that would never happen by just grabbing a cab the regular way. The three best selling points are:

1. Can easily pay via credit card but since it's through your phone no time is wasted with terminals
2. Costs exactly the same as just hailing a cab on street
3. You know who your driver/car number is prior to pick up and have his number

Only downside (and it's not really one since more drivers are joining) is that it can take a few mins to get a cab even though you may be in an area where non-hailo cabs are zipping by. With that being said I've never had to wait more than 2 mins for a car no matter what time of day.

I highly recommend anyone who takes cabs semi-frequently to check it out. You can get $5 off your first ride I believe once you download the app (if not just google a code).

 

[Admiral Beez]

A ton of industry propaganda against Hailo here http://pandodaily.com/2012/11/14/what-taxi-industry-outsiders-dont-get-about-vc-funded-taxi-apps/

 

[Admiral Beez]

Some news on this front http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2014/01/16/vomit_fee_proposed_for_torontos_taxi_cabs.html

A review of the issues here...http://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha...taxis_up_for_review_a_look_at_the_issues.html

The single Toronto Taxicab Licence (TTL) sounds like an excellent idea to me. If this leads to the elimination of the monetary or trade-in value of the license, IMO that's a great idea. By why 30+ years implementation?

 

[JasonParis]

Few ever seem to agree with me, but moving towards a single colour scheme would also be high on my wish list.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Few ever seem to agree with me, but moving towards a single colour scheme would also be high on my wish list.

Seems like a smart idea, especially as people move towards Hailo and other apps that eliminate the customers' connection with the dispatch office of whatever banner is on the cab.

 

[BMO]

Few ever seem to agree with me, but moving towards a single colour scheme would also be high on my wish list.

I've been asking for this for a while. It makes it easier for people to find and notice a cab and it also improves the aestethics of the city. Most big cities have one colour scheme like London, New York, Dubai, Madrid, etc.

 

[JasonParis]

In a perfect world, Metrolinx should be the one giving out the licenses as well. And all licensed cabs in the GTA would adhered to the same rules and have a Metrolinx sticker on their vehicles, etc. It would also end the whole Pearson issue too (although the Limos could continue to operate as an executive service).

 

[BMO]

In a perfect world, Metrolinx should be the one giving out the licenses as well. And all licensed cabs in the GTA would adhered to the same rules and have a Metrolinx sticker on their vehicles, etc. It would also end the whole Pearson issue too (although the Limos could continue to operate as an executive service).

Also, why not add the ability to pay for taxis using PRESTO?

 

[JasonParis]

Yup, that would make sense too.

 

[Johnny Au]

Also, why not add the ability to pay for taxis using PRESTO?

I must agree. It would also help reduce impaired driving incidents.

There would be a vomiting fee of $25 as well.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I think we need to get rid of the cab size rule. Many of the cabs in Vancouver are Priuses and they seem big enough. There's no need for everyone to drive around Crown Vics. Cabs might be cheaper if they didn't get 15 mpg.

These Nissan Leaf cabs in Mexico City are interesting.

http://www.technologicvehicles.com/...s/2298/video-mexico-city-taxis-in-nissan-leaf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NTQbccRCmmM

Here's another electric cab, this time in Japan

Even NYC has its Hybrid cabs...

As for Toronto and fuel efficient taxis, we do have these guys with their all-hybrid fleet http://www.eco-taxi.ca/ . Here's an older article on the topic http://spacing.ca/toronto/2010/09/27/ideas-for-toronto-mandatory-hybrid-taxis/

 

[BMO]

These Nissan Leaf cabs in Mexico City are interesting.

...

Even NYC has its Hybrid cabs...

...


As for Toronto and fuel efficient taxis, we do have these guys with their all-hybrid fleet ...

Even in KW a good portion of the Taxis you'll find in Waterloo are Prius' or other hybrids. I was quite impressed by it when I lived there.

 

[Admiral Beez]

This is an interesting concept from 40+ years ago http://delcoates.com/design-matters/2011/8/29/the-arts-crafts-taxi.html

We could have BRP Canada (formerly Bombardier) design and build it, maybe in partnership with Quebec's Zen Car for an electric version. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Recreational_Products

 

[Hipster Duck]

Few ever seem to agree with me, but moving towards a single colour scheme would also be high on my wish list.

One source of disagreement might be that the different taxi companies seem to charge different rates. It's been a while since I've been in a Toronto cab, but I remember Co-op cabs being noticeably cheaper than the others.