Q.  What do I need to use TaxiZapp?

A.  Taxis can be booked from the TaxiZapp website using any internet enabled device.  They can also be booked using the TaxiZapp iphone application. 

Q.  What is the cost to use TaxiZapp?

A.  TaxiZapp is free to passengers.  In future it may be possible to buy upgrades to the application which will offer additional services.

Q.  Where does the TaxiZapp application work?

A.  The TaxiZapp application will work anywhere in the world – however we are currently marketing the service within the UK and Ireland.  We will list the towns and countries covered by TaxiZapp on the home page of the website.

Q.  How does TaxiZapp work?

A.  You will find full details of how TaxiZapp works here.

Q.  Why is using TaxiZapp different to using a local taxi company?

A.  TaxiZapp can provide you with Taxis from a range of Taxi companies and independent taxi operators.  It affords you the opportunity to book a taxi with the nearest available taxi – this may be from a taxi company which is not based within your area but who may just have dropped off a passenger nearby and therefore be open to your booking.  This increases your chances of finding a taxi and you have the reassurance of seeing the taxi travel towards you in addition to having full details of the driver and the vehicle.

Q.  What type of Taxis can I find on TaxiZapp?

A.  The TaxiZapp application is available as a tool to all Taxi drivers whether they are a public hire driver or a private hire driver.  Sometimes these categories are referred to as Taxis and as mini-cabs.   If for some reason you wish only to avail of a particular category of driver then you should list this in the special requirements section of your booking. 

Q.  Why do you need my phone number?

A.  Should it be required the provision of your phone number will allow the taxi driver to contact you.  This may occur should they need to advise you of a difficulty in reaching you e.g. due to a breakdown or if they have arrived at your location and crowds of people numbers make it difficult to find you.

Q.  Who can see my personal information?

A.  When you attempt to hail a taxi the five closest drives receive information detailing your location and destination.  Only when a particular driver has been allocated to undertake your request will they receive your name and telephone number.  If you attempt to hail a favourite driver only they will be offered the hail and they will see your details immediately.  Once the journey has ended your personal information will not be available to the driver any longer however details of the journey undertaken will be stored in their log of work.  If the driver should need to contact you (for example they realise you have left something in the taxi) then they will send a message to the TaxiZapp team who will contact you and act as a facilitator between you and the driver.

Q.  How does TaxiZapp ensure my personal information is secure?

A.  The mobile applications access the database securely using a REST API which allows for reading and updating of data as required.  The database is currently hosted on servers provided by a London Company but the long term intention is to move the database to ‘cloud’ servers. In both scenarios, regular database backups both on and off site are scheduled.  In all cases, we ensure that database systems are separated from front-end websites to ensure their security and integrity.  Additionally, any payment processing required in the apps is carried out through secure third party providers (such as Paypal) who provide secure mobile integration.  In these cases they maintain the PCI compliance for storing and processing of credit card transactions.

Q.  What is the Location based advertising? Will you pass my details to them?

A.  The location based advertising will not be displayed unless you choose to access this section of the website to find out about services around you at that moment – for example you are seeking somewhere to eat, have coffee, find out information.  From time to time these advertisers may offer a coupon relating to special offer and you will be advised of this.  However in no circumstances will your details be passed to these advertisers – it is always your choice whether or not to access this feature.

Q.  What details will I receive of the taxi which has been allocated my journey.

A.  You will receive the name of the taxi driver, their telephone number, description of the vehicle including colour, make and model and licence plate number.  In addition you will receive the taxi drivers taxi registration number and taxi vehicle registration number which are legally required for them to operate as a taxi driver and to ensure the standard of their vehicle.

Q.  Are taxi drivers vetted to ensure they are genuine taxi drivers.

A.  As outlined above TaxiZapp requires all drivers when they register to submit details of the registration numbers they obtain when they submit themselves and their vehicles to the relevant local authority for authorisation to operate as a taxi.   These details are supplied to the passenger who will thus be able to compare this information with the information displayed on the taxi and the information displayed relating to the driver.  It remains the responsibility of the passenger to check that the information displayed on the taxi matches the information supplied to them and that it is current.  If the passenger has a concern they should not enter the vehicle.  TaxiZapp would also suggest they forward their concern to the relevant taxi licensing authority.

Q.  What is a favourite driver

A.  If you travel with a driver who provides you with an excellent service you can “reward” this by nominating them as a favourite driver.  The next time you wish to book a taxi you have the option of sending a request to this driver directly.  All drivers who are nominated as a favourite driver are listed on a rank for their geographical area – this ranking may not only lead to increased work for them but on a regular basis those ranking highly will receive recognition from the TaxiZapp team in a variety of ways.

Q.  What if I wish to cancel my booking?

A.  There is a facility within the application and on the website to cancel a booking should your circumstances change – if required we would encourage you to do this as early as possible to free the driver to accept another hail.  Misuse of the system on a number of occasions may result in your account being blacklisted.

Q.  What if there are no taxis available?

A.  TaxiZapp will endeavour to find you a taxi in close proximity to your location.  The system will advise you that it is seeking a driver and will keep you informed each time it sends a further request to drivers.  This will occur within a defined radius until all possible options have been exhausted.  The system will then advise you that no taxis are available and will advise you try again at a future time. 

Q.  Do I have access to a record of the journeys which I undertake using TaxiZapp?

A.  It will be possible to access a full list of journeys undertaken.

Q.  What is the address book?

A.  The address book allows the passenger to quickly enter into the application details of locations which they travel to or from on a regular basis.

Q.  What does it mean to be blacklisted?

A.  Persistent misuse of the TaxiZapp application e.g. making false bookings, frequent cancellation of bookings, abuse to drivers – may result in the user being blacklisted as outlined in the TaxiZapp terms and conditions. 

Q.  If I have any question not addressed here who do I contact for information?

A.  If you have further questions then please contact us here.