June 30, 2009
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News: Chicago Taxicabs Gets CC Technology
Chicago taxicab drivers have been the subject of many complaints received by both the City of Chicago and the Taxi Medallion Management LLC. The city says the drivers' refusal to accept credit card payment ranks third while Taxi Medallion says their refusal ranks No. 1. A new touch-screen device will soon give riders the capabilities of swiping their debit or credit card for payment of rides. Beginning in July, the new device is expected to be installed in the back seats of over 2,600 Chicago taxicabs. The device has a monitor screen that displays a running tab throughout the trip allowing riders to monitor the credit card charges. The final itemized charge is displayed to include the meter charge, surcharges, and tolls. Customers also have the option of adding a tip which they enter using an available keypad.
The new device was developed in response to a rash of deceptive practices by small number of drivers. The shady drivers would tell the riders that their credit card processing machine was broken and then jack up the price of the ride. Additionally, a small minority of the more than 15,000 drivers would often take the long way around town to increase the amount of the fare. This new technology will inhibit their ability to do that as well because the screen comes equipped with Google Map software. The map allows the rider to monitor their ride from beginning to end and prevent any attempt to inflate the credit card charges.
Creative Mobile Technologies originally designed the technology for New York City and Boston. Taxicab drivers using the system in these cities say customers love the convenience of swiping their credit card to pay for fares. The machine is fast and easy and typically takes about three seconds to process the transaction. Visa has reported that since the introduction of the machine in 2008, New York drivers have seen the average tip increase to 22%. About 30 Chicago taxicabs have already been equipped with the new technology. Plans to install the remaining 2,600 machines will begin in July.