Flag - an Irish app launches

[watty]

http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/97143/nui-galway-graduate-launches-unique-new-taxi-app

 Flag - A new taxi app designed for students wil launch in Dublin City this December. The unique app is the only service in the world that allows a passenger to travel and pay for taxis with no phone, cash or bank card while ensuring the driver still gets paid.

Flag originally started out as a college project called Dash while inventor Richie Commins was a final year Business Information Systems student at NUI Galway. Since graduating, Richie has combined business graduates and experienced engineers with taxi industry experience from the US and Romania, to upgrade the software into the version the App is today. The latest member recruited to the Flag team is the original founder of GoCar.ie, Michael Newham.

The app is available in app stores as 'Flag - The Taxi App'. This is similar to other taxi apps that allow you to get a taxi, however a feature unique to Flag is what is called "The wallet-less feature" where users are required to upload a photo ID and create a personal digit pin code to secure an account. If a situation arises such as a user's phone is dead, the user simply flags a taxi off the street, gives the driver their name and enters the four digit pin on the driver app. The user's photo appears on the driver's phone to confirm identity before the fare begins. Payment is processed from the user's pre-registered card as normal upon arrival at the user's destination.

The creative and innovative app boasts pin point location, tracking and accurate 'estimated time of arrival' as well as extra safety features such as the wallet-less payment (the only taxi app in the world to provide this service ).

[watty]

As a taxi driver, I'm not sure I'd take the risk.   Payment is processed at the end of the journey - what if the credit card is maxed out before he gets into the taxi?

[Dr. Martin Gooter Bling]

there was a thing called money invented a few years ago.
it's worked fairly well for a few thousand years.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

It`s being marketed as Fleg in Norn Iron. The Norteños love their flegs.

[U Wha]

Jaysus, coming out of woodwork!

Think I will sit back, do the feasibility and research full time through the college from January to May 2018.

Jump through the hoops with the Local Enterprise Office and avail of the grants, mentors, etc

and all the while watching what these apps get up to and maybe learn from their mistakes .

[silverbullet]

Sure they're only  up against Multi Billionaires, what could possibly go wrong ?

[Vikkiz]

I read elsewhere that they are gonna charge 10% commission and drivers ycan charge pick up fee. Plus they won’t be charging commission til next year.
No commission on the jobs where folk ask you to verify that they are who they say they are

[Rat Catcher]

If they hail you on the street is it legal to charge PUC?

[Vikkiz]

Yes that's correct RC, but on jobs through the app the PUC can be charged

[Rat Catcher]

Seems like a grey area. The car isn't ordered through the app. In fact the rider doesn't even need an erm phone, never mind a smart phone. The app is merely used to verify the rider's identity and guarantee payment to the driver. I spoke with Richie a while back. He's a clever bloke, someone we'll probably see go on to bigger and better innovations as the years progress and Michael Newham's interest is obviously a serious vote of confidence. However, I'm not convinced that PUC would be legal, might be a better idea to charge the rider commission?

[Mr Taxi]

Hey, I'm one of the fellas behind it I just seen this post. I hope the post I put up answers some of your questions. Would love to see some of you at the driver launch meeting tomorrow at 10am. Don't hesitate to grill me with any queries, Thanks lads

http://intaxi.org/forum/index.php?topic=8330.0

[Rat Catcher]

It does!

As there's no commission when the wallet-less feature is used there's no need to charge PUC in such cases. I still reckon you should charge the rider a fee, however small, for using the wallet-less feature. AFAIK, mytaxi charge riders 50c or something like that for their pay with mytaxi service (which requires app access).

[Mr Taxi]

Yes PUC is on for fares via the app but not off the rank or street. Thanks for the help, really appreciate the feedback

[Mr Taxi]

Hi Rat catcher, sorry i just seen your comment before mine there, thanks for the kind words. I knew it was you or taxi driver 42 i spoke to before but couldn't remember and lost your number. I'll get onto in mail

[Taxi driver42]

Hi Rat catcher, sorry i just seen your comment before mine there, thanks for the kind words. I knew it was you or taxi driver 42 i spoke to before but couldn't remember and lost your number. I'll get onto in mail

I remember speaking to you
Il pm my number