A new initiative by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will integrate all taxis in the city within two years in order to provide a more efficient, environmentally friendly and safer service
The Istanbul Municipality is initiating a taxi integration network project that will include all 18,000 vehicles used as cabs within the next two years. Speaking at the TRANSIT 2014 Transportation Technologies Fair over the weekend, the head of the municipality's parking lots (İSPARK), Mehmet Çevik, said the Taxi Call Center would ensure the safety of drivers and passengers with a panic button.
The system will begin with 100 taxis and be expanded to 18,000 vehicles within two years, he said, adding, "When one presses the panic button, it sends out a warning to the call center and the police are immediately alerted."
Taxis will also have a navigation system to ensure passengers know that they are not being cheated. The screen provided will also provide relevant information in English, French, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic.
Çevik said the average taxi driver had about 20 to 22 passengers a day. "With this integrated service, the number of customers will increase to 40," he said.
The project, initiated with the cooperation of Verifon, also aims to decrease gasoline consumption and lessen the environmental impact of taxis.
The call number, 134, will allow customers to reach the closest taxi available and taxi drivers who drop off their customers will be directed to the closest taxi stop. This will prevent taxis lining up on streets.
The call center will follow GPRS signals of the vehicles to ensure the efficiency of the system. Credit card use in taxis will be expanded and taxi drivers will get employment insurance.
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