The East End Taxi Association is preparing to launch the Virgin Islands Taxi App in the coming weeks, a platform that lets passengers locate nearby licensed taxis, set their destination, and pay electronically without cash.
President Mervin Smith said the app is in its final development stage.
After logging in, the app will detect a passenger’s location and display available licensed taxis nearby. Riders can then enter their drop-off point, see the tariff amount, and choose a driver through the platform. “Once you click on where you’re going … you will be able to see all the taxis in that general area that can assist you with the ride,” Smith explained.
The app supports multiple payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and electronic options such as PayPal. Smith said it also makes it easier for drivers to reach passengers. “The driver will be able to reach you without having to worry about getting directions,” he said.
He added that this feature could prove especially useful as restaurants and businesses frequently change names, making verbal directions unreliable, particularly for tourists unfamiliar with the area. “A lot of the restaurants change. So once they are in the GPS system, it will be a lot easier for the driver to come get you,” Smith said.
Developers are finalizing a pricing model to align with the territory’s official taxi tariff. “We are right now in our final stage trying to tailor the pricing, because we try to tailor it towards our tariff,” Smith said. He expects the app to launch within two to three weeks, once pricing is finalized.
“Any licensed taxi driver will be able to operate on the app,” Smith said, noting that because East End Taxi Association designed it, the company’s own drivers will be enrolled first for a trial period. “After that, any other licensed driver who wants to join can come to us, and we’ll add them in after reviewing their application, driver’s record, police record and vehicle information. We also collect account and routing numbers for payment, since the system will split fares automatically.”
Once a ride is complete, passengers can leave feedback about their experience. “The passenger will be able to give a review of the experience with that driver,” Smith said.
To prepare for the rollout, Smith said he plans to focus on community engagement and promotion. “Once I get the app officially done and it’s ready to be launched, my intention is to get it promoted. Go to the Taxicab Commission and all the other entities, all the hotels everywhere, and just try to put it out there. I will be doing some interviews on radio and all that to try to promote it so everyone can be informed,” he said.
Smith said the initial launch will focus on St. Thomas, but the app is already designed for future expansion to St. Croix and St. John.
The development of the Virgin Islands Taxi App comes amid growing demand from lawmakers, locals and tourists for modernization. “A lot of the tourists want to be able to pay via credit card and all that. So with this app, it would allow them to pay the driver without having to have cash,” Smith said.
He noted the app is a direct response to changing expectations in transportation: “If your community is asking for something, let’s give it to them and not fight against it.”
Smith encouraged all operators to adopt the new technology and keep pace with industry changes. “This app is for us to move forward,” he said. “An overall upgrade of our industry, keeping up with the times.”
St. Croix Source
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