QCOSTARICA – Costa Rica’s formal taxis – the red taxis – are developing a weapon to combat Uber. Though the application (app) has not been yet created, representatives say it will be ready soon.
CAB CR is the name of the app that will monitor Uber prices and set an amount always less for their customers. And like the Uber app, customers will pay online and not the fare on the taxi meter.
“If A or B, the government deems illegal the second platform, thus the same medicine should be applied to the ‘piratas’ (illegals) using an electronic platform (app) and if they close one, there is the other,” said Ruben Vargas, representative of the Costa Rican Taxi Drivers Union (Unión de Taxistas Costarricense).
So, according to Vargas, the taxi drivers don’t have just one, but two apps in the works, expected to be operating by the end of May.
The apps will allow taxi drivers to charge customers the metered fare, but will also allow customers to call the cab by way of the app and pay online. Not clear if the development is for two separate apps or one app with dual function.
Vargas added that any (red) taxi drivers with a vehicle of up to 15 years old can register, however, drivers with newer cars will have a special classification, presumably to charge more?
The taxi drivers union is light on details such as requirements, registration procedures, fares and use of the app by both the taxi drivers and customers.
Source: La Republica
