A new taxi booking service has launched on the Isle of Man, promising customers an Uber-style way to book, track and pay for local taxi journeys.
The taxi feature forms part of One Island, a new digital platform designed to bring together a range of information and services used by people living on and visiting the Island.
According to Manx Radio, One Island allows passengers to book a taxi through the app, track their vehicle and make payment digitally, creating an experience similar to ride-hailing platforms such as Uber.
The platform is working with both ply-for-hire taxi drivers and private hire drivers on the Isle of Man.
One Island co-founder Darren Barklie told Manx Radio that people working within the taxi industry had been involved in the development of the service, with driver requirements and feedback helping shape the taxi section of the platform.
The taxi service is initially one of the main areas of focus for One Island, although the wider app also brings together information on buses, ferry services, flights and local news.
That gives the platform a broader role than a standalone taxi booking app, with its developers aiming to create a single digital service covering several aspects of daily life and travel on the Isle of Man.
The launch is particularly interesting for the local taxi and private hire sector because app-based booking, vehicle tracking and digital payments have become increasingly expected by passengers following the growth of ride-hailing services elsewhere in the UK.
Isle of Man Government guidance states that private hire cars cannot be hailed in the street or use taxi ranks and must instead be pre-booked. Private hire vehicles are also required to display the appropriate licensing disc.
Ply-for-hire taxis operate under a different licensing structure, meaning One Island is attempting to build a booking system capable of working with different sections of the Island’s licensed passenger transport industry.
The company describes One Island as a locally built digital platform designed for residents, visitors and businesses, with further services and features expected to be added as it develops.
For taxi and private hire operators looking at their own booking technology, DM Taxi Assistant provides an affordable booking and dispatch system designed specifically for taxi, private hire and chauffeur businesses.
The arrival of One Island provides another example of traditional taxi markets adopting app-based booking technology without necessarily relying on one of the major international ride-hailing companies.
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Sources
Manx Radio — One Island app brings Uber style taxis to Island
https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/one-island-app-brings-uber-style-taxis-to-island/
Isle of Man Government — Private Hire Cars and Minibuses
https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/offices/road-transport-licensing-committee/ppv-drivers-operators/about-ppvs/private-hire-cars-and-minibuses/
One Island — Company information
https://im.linkedin.com/company/oneisland
