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Transportation Thu Dec 22 2011
New App Allows Taxi Users to Share Rides
One of the competitors in the Apps For Metro Chicago Grand Challenge promises to help Chicago become greener while users save money. Taxi Share Chicago has that goal in mind.
The idea for the app came from Chicago attorney Dan Fedor after meeting his wife while sharing a cab. Fedor thought that an app allowing people to share a taxi would not only help save money but also reduce carbon emissions and congestion.
Cyberwalkabout.com CEO Uki Lucas designed the app.
The app is also touted as being a way to help taxi drivers make more money by having multiple passengers who can both tip after the ride is done.
According to a press release, about 2,000 people have downloaded the app in the Chicago area and was recently launched in San Francisco. Taxi Share plans to have apps for 100 cities in the next three months.
A potential problem is that the app is only available for those who own phones that use an Android operating system, meaning currently those who do not use an Android-based phone will not be able to use the application. There is an iPhone compatible version in development that should be released in January. The app's initial release for Android phones is the result of the developers being familiar with that operating system.
The app is available for a free download and there is no fee because Finch's Beer sponsors the Chicago version of Taxi Share.
Those who use the app can vote for it in the Apps For Metro Chicago Grand Challenge.
