Many taxi fleets, particularly the larger operators, have been using telematics technologies for some time, running location software on their own servers and communicating via two-way radios. During the past few years an increasing number of taxi fleets have turned to web-based solutions with communications via cellular rather than dedicated radio networks.
The latest market development is the availability of a number of smartphone-based taxi apps which enable passengers to order a taxi via an app (without the need to even make call) with the driver similarly using a smartphone to receive and monitor pick-up requests. These apps bypass the taxi operators and have the potential to change the taxi industry forever.
This report looks at the use of telematics in the taxi and private hire vehicle markets and evaluates the threat posed by the new taxi app companies. The report also provides forecasts for the adoption of telematics in this market vertical between 2009 and 2019.