A new Williamsburg-based service lets you request a 'Cab' going from the Billyburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, Boerum Hill, or Fort Greene areas simply by texting your coordinates to the number 767222 (SMSCab).
We can think of a few situations in which this would be useful — say, the bar is loud, or you’re slurring your speech too much to be understood, or you don’t want to hurt your date’s feelings by actually speaking the words, “I’d like two separate cars, please” — but in general we just like the idea of not having to deal with spazzed-out dispatchers, radio static, and busy signals. But how does this brilliant theory work in execution?
At 6:51 p.m. we requested a cab going from Greenpoint to Nolita. The first two texts were automatic responses. The third, which came about five minutes later, was none too assuring: “So sorry but we’re SWAMPED.” (The fleet consists of 30 cars.) But then about two minutes later, we received a text offering a $15 ride in ten minutes — pretty much the same price and time quoted by the cab service we would otherwise have used, Northside.
Our verdict: Worth a shot next time you’re heading from Hotel Delmano to the motel to the Holiday Inn…
Copy of Grub Street report.
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The 'Text a Cab' service will be in place at the start of March 2008.
So all you will have to do is send a quick text as you leave the plane and we will be there to 'Meet and Greet' you as you leave the Customs exit.
More at our web site Stansted Airport Text a Cab
I just found this Guardian article about the same service in Dublin.
From next month, you'll be able to summon a cab in Dublin by simply sending a text message. E-Taxis has 1,000 new cars ready to hit the streets and life will never be the same again, it told The Guardian.
The idea is that you send an SMS message to E-Taxis number. Triangulation is then used to check out the location and the message is automatically routed to the nearest cabs. A driver then calls the mobile to check on the fare.
The only thing we remain unclear about is whether triangulation is used to work out the cab's location or the person's location. We suspect it's the cab's - which is a shame because it means you'll have to give a load of information about your position in the text message when it would be nicer just to send a single word.
However, while this sounds like a naff publicity seeking idea, we really rather like it. If handled properly it should certainly improve the cab company's efficiency and that means you won't have to wait in the rain so long. It also saves you having to explain where you are and what you want when you are tired and emotional and the cab operator, who has been working for 23 hours straight, is off his head on reds.
The new Mercedes E-Taxis will also let you pay for the fare with credit or debit cards, which will save you going five minutes out the way and having the cabbie mutter threateningly under his breath.
It looks like the idea is speading.
Text a Cab Service at Stansted Airport.
Here's an update to this service at Stansted. Text a Cab Service at Stansted Airport is now available via their own web site at www.textacab.info and this will show you how to place a booking and how your confirmation is sent.
Enjoy the great service at Stansted Airport, the first Airport to offer Text a Cab Taxi Service.
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