Two Sydney entrepreneurs have developed a free smartphone application to improve the taxi ordering service for both passengers and drivers.
goCatch allows taxi passengers to see where nearby available taxis are and book them via their smartphones. Users can then see the location of their taxi in real-time as it approaches on the map, saving the uncertainty of when a taxi will arrive.
Designed by Andrew Campbell and Ned Moorfield, the app was developed using the prize money from two innovation competitions: the Peter Farrell Cup and John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge.
“goCatch connects drivers and customers without the middle-man. It means no waiting in queues or wandering the streets looking for a cab with a light on,” Campbell said.
goCatch allows taxi drivers to see available jobs and be notified through their iPhone when nearby bookings become available. Over 700 drivers signed-up in Melbourne and Sydney in the first two weeks of the app being in the App Store.
Campbell and Moorfield are hoping for a strong take-up of the app.
“The more people using the app – drivers and passengers – the better it works, so we’re encouraging everybody to spread the word,” Moorfield said.
According to Moorfield, the app will evolve quickly, with ongoing development and enhancements to continue including Facebook integration and the ability for passengers to rate drivers.
“You’ll also be able to choose favourite drivers and send bookings to those drivers you know and trust. It’ll help build loyalty for drivers who offer exceptional service.”
The app can be downloaded free from the iTunes AppStore. Android, Blackberry and Phone7 versions of goCatch will be available in the coming months.
