Order your cab ride online at RideCharge
If you plan to travel within the US and need to grab a cab from one location to another, you can use your phone (with internet access, naturally) to book yourself a taxi, sedan, limo, or shuttle service with RideCharge.
You simply enter the date and time you need to be picked up. Then specify your pick-up spot, the destination, and how many passengers there will be. When it searches, it will tell you which services are available to you. For instance, I asked to be piked up at JFK airport in New York City, and dropped off at Times Square. The best deal was the Corporate Sedan by NY One for $59. Two other services would have charged me $73, and the SuperShuttle was unavailable to me as they don’t pick up at that airport.
When you make your selection, you can give specific instructions, such as saying that you’ll be waiting on the South side of the street, and if you’re being picked up at the airport, you can specify what airline and flight you’re on so the service will know if your flight is delayed and (hopefully) wait for you.
The best part is that you can pay with your mobile device at the end of the ride, and receive an e-receipt in exchange, which is handy if you’re traveling on business and need to keep track of your expenses.
The whole thing sounds really cool. I would love to hear from anyone who has actually used RideCharge to get some thoughts on how it plays out in reality.
(Thanks to Mike for the tip! Photo: flickr)
7 Comments
The thought of paying with mobile device really impressed me. I haven’t heart about something like that. Actually I really don’t think it is working in reality. Has anyone any experiences with that?
All that glitters isn’t gold. The rates they quote are 30% higher than you can get directly. The cost of convenience? I don’t think so. Also the geographic coverage is extremely thin. PASS.
NobbyH – That’s interesting to know. Being Canadian, I wouldn’t know a lot about average cab fares, so I didn’t know whether it was a good price or not. On the other hand, maybe they’re factoring in a tip as well into the price?
I think it could be useful if you know it’s hard to get a cab at a specific location and want to make sure you have one waiting for you if you’re pressed for time.
I have been in the car when friends have used this and it works and it’s nice to have. The convenience charge is probably a buck, so it’s well worth it to have a ride when you need it, where you need it.
Great idea.
NobbyH – Given cab fares are all locally metered, it would beimpossible for them to charge 30% more so you are completely wrongthere. I use them for SuperShuttle, and its 15% less than going tothe SS website. I just looked on their website and they’re in 25cities and they’re new, so I don’t think that’s bad coverage. I dontthink they’ve hit the mainstream yet, and i think that’s cool. You are a little too negative for my Thursday.
Keep in my that you’re not getting a “yellow cab” as pictured, which offer the cheapest (metered) fares.
Cabs you get by order in NYC, such as the ones seen on that site are all limousine cars (meaning they’re considered luxury car services). You’ll always get a higher price, and considering the cab line is usually pretty short at the airport, not sure its a great deal (again, can only speak for NYC).
http://www.sosauce.com/travel
I’ve used it a bunch in DC area, and in LA to go to airports. Some taxi drivers are new to the pay part, but when you pay with your mobile phone it is SO fast and cool,and I love not carrying cash.