Gyms use it, broadband providers use it, DVD rental schemes use it, subways use it... Now it's time for taxis to adopt a flat-rate charge. Swiss start-up Taxmobil is planning to offer unlimited taxi use for a EUR 48 monthly fee. Customers will be able to buy a Taxmobil card online or from sales points around the city, and can call for a car to pick them up at whatever time they choose, travelling to any destination in the city. If two strangers are travelling in the same direction, Taxmobil may combine their journeys.
The key to Taxmobil's strategy is the fact that it doesn't own the cars it uses. Instead, it buys the time of idle taxis that are already out and about, creating a service that's affordable and convenient for customers, and could decrease congestion and parking problems if city dwellers trade in their cars for a Taxmobil card.
Böblingen in Southern Germany is likely to be the first town offering the service, starting early 2009, with other towns across Europe to follow. Travel is only permitted within a city, although members will be able to catch a taxi in other participating cities, too. As well as expanding the service's reach, Taxmobil will soon be extending its package options by complementing its standard EUR 48 subscription with cards for businesses and families. Discounts and member benefits will be made possible with the cards in future, too.
While public transport and bicycles are usually pitched as the green alternative to car ownership, there's something to be said for adding affordable taxis to the mix, offering people the option of individual door-to-door transport around the clock. How the system will work on rainy days, and whether EUR 48/month will leave any room for a profit, remains to be seen. One to watch!
Website: www.taxmobil.ch
Contact: www.taxmobil.ch/cms/front_content.php?idart=13
Spotted by: Susanna Haynie
Are you sure that the monthly fee is 48€? The swiss currency is th CHF, Swiss doesn't belong to the Eurozone.The actual fee might be 48CHF per month which is about30€.
Yes, the fee is EUR 48 per month, which is approximately CHF 75. Although the company is Swiss, they'll be launching Taxmobil in Germany. Hence the euro price! :-)
Taxmobil - Great idea. I used to live in a rural community where the cabs offered flat rates throughout the district.
Why don't personal service companies offer a flat monthly rate for their service? e.g. a hair salon.
I believe flat monthly rate is typically used for those kinds of services where there is a considerable amount of fluctuation in the usage by users. For ex; the unlimited monthly card of sub way would not be equally used by all commuters. However, a hair saloon would be at most used by someone twice in a month. Not much fluctuation so flat rate does not make sense. It would be better to pay as per use. Hope this makes sense.
Can anyone tell me how this company is going to make a profit or what type of business model do they have in place.