Three Taiwanese companies yesterday announced that they are forming a partnership to introduce an intelligent transportation system (ITS) for taxi operators.
The 4G-enabled system could help companies better manage their fleets and call centers, Chugnwha Telelcom Co (中華電信), Advantech Co (研華) and Hwacom Systems Inc (華電網) said in a statement.
The service provides real-time traffic information and navigation for drivers, the companies said after signing a memorandum of understanding.
“The smart transportation system is better than the one used by Uber,” Advantech president Chaney Ho (何春盛) said.
“It would also be cost effective solution for small and medium-scale taxi operators to use this system,” he said.
Consumers can download an Uber-like app to their mobile phones to book a taxi via the system, the companies said.
Information about nearby sights, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues would also be available, they said.
Ho said about 15 taxi companies have expressed interest the ITS service, amounting to about 4,000 taxis.
The number of vehicles equipped with the system is expected to expand to more than 14,000 cars within next three years, accounting for about 20 percent of the nation’s 77,000 taxis, he said.
The companies plan to expand the ITS service to courier delivery companies and logistics providers to help them reduce costs and improve their operational efficiency, Ho said.
Taiwan Taxi Corp (台灣大車隊), the nation’s biggest taxi company with a fleet of 12,000 cars, has developed its own intelligent transportation system for its drivers.
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