Taxiwise

The smartest way to get a taxi

[taxiwise]

At Long Last, its Time to Move on to the Next Chapter.

The ride was rough, we were driving into unknown territories and all the same thrilling. After months which seemed like years, we have finally announced to the world that we have been acquired by another company.

I remembered when we started Taxiwise in Dec 2012 in order to join AcceleratorHK. Since then, my cofounders Truong, Lawrence and I have faced many challenges, gone on many emotional roller coaster, explore new industries and learned a great deal along the process. 

For Truong and I, it was an eye opening experience as we have to face customers which we could not communicate with (as we dont speak Cantonese) and having to deal with their lack of technology awareness (we even tried a session to teach them English). Luckily Lawrence was there to mediate and lead the meetings. Having to sit down and grab afternoon tea in a local Chinese joint wasn't our version of fun talk but i’m glad we did it as we learned more about their life, the way they work and how we can help them out. 

As time went on, we struggled in other areas such as the technology side, getting people to join and stay committed and so forth. Its an experience we will never forget and will always keep with us. 

Still getting some love, we made #5 in Tech In Asia's 10 Taxi Apps you can use across Asia. 

The next ride…

We are excited to announce, we will be joining the team at Ikky and build an even more awesome service while improving our own Taxiwise service. The guys at Ikky are super cool and friendly and offer a vast array of knowledge. Expect our service to merge in the future and be able to do more than just book a taxi. 

Thanks to our friends and advisors for supporting us until now. We couldn't have done it without you guys and thanks to the Ikky folks for being patient with us throughout this whole process. 

As they say, the learning never stops…

-Jean-Marc 

[taxiwise]

Taxiwise Interviewed by South China Morning Post: IT professionals launch Taxiwise smartphone app for expats

Hailing a cab in Hong Kong is about to get a whole lot easier for those who don't speak Cantonese with the launch this month of a new smartphone app called Taxiwise.

The app translates destinations into Cantonese before matching the customer with cabs who want to accept the fare.

The app is the brainchild of two American IT professionals, French-born Jean-Marc Ly, 27, and Truong Lam, 28, who teamed up with local IT entrepreneur Lawrence Tse to develop the product.

The idea was born out of frustration after Ly and Lam were rejected nine times by cab drivers near Lan Kwai Fong after a night of partying in July last year.

"We ended up walking in the rain for 45 minutes because we couldn't get a taxi," said Ly, who has a background in marketing.

"Most of the time we got rejected because of the language," said Lam, who has previously worked for Apple, "but some were also asking for a premium price. And the further we walked, the harder it rained."

Ly and Lam were initially in Hong Kong for a three-month intensive course on building mobile products and the taxi idea gave them a reason to extend their stay.

After months of testing, market research and an 18-month app-building programme at the Science Park in Sha Tin, the service will be available for download later this month. Bookings can be made in real time or in advance, with the city divided into four areas - Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and the airport.

Taxiwise is aiming to have 1,000 drivers on board within the first six months.

The Hong Kong market already has several successful taxi-booking apps, most of them in Chinese, but the co-founders say this one is different. "We are targeting expats, business travellers, people like us who don't speak Chinese," said Ly.

"We're also giving local drivers access to a new market."

They hope to turn a profit by getting corporate partners, such as hotels, to pay a fee for each booking. General users get a one-month trial before a HK$10 booking fee per fare kicks in.

Ly said the app could work well on the mainland where there is a growing expatriate community in major cities. "They speak less English there, so the need is greater," he added.

The team has signed a deal with Touch Media, which runs the advertising screens on the back of taxi headrests. "There are a million taxi rides every day in Hong Kong and we just want a small fraction of that," Ly said.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Tale of taxi snub has an 'appy' ending

[taxiwise]

Science Park Press Release Announcing use of Taxiwise

Here's a copy of Science Park's press releasing announcing they will be using the Taxiwise platform to allow guest to book taxis from Science Park. 

HK Science Park Inspires: New Mobile Apps Recommended New Local Taxi Booking Mobile App “Taxiwise”

Targets Expats, Tourists & MICE Visitors in HK

(Hong Kong, 26 Nov 2013) – When he was visiting Hong Kong some time ago, Jean Marc Ly from Silicon Valley had an unpleasant experience when he once tried to hail a taxi.  He was rejected for 9 times as the taxi drivers were either on busy schedule or did not understand English well.  It inspired him and the other 2 co-founders to develop a taxi booking mobile app, namely “Taxiwise”, with built-in translation, advanced booking and order matching functions.  The app developer, Taxiwise Company Ltd, also a member of Incu-App Programme of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HSKTPC), has recently signed an exclusive advertising agreement with the Hong Kong and China’s largest in-taxi media company.  The partnership will allow Taxiwise to reach over 5 million taxi passengers monthly through the in-taxi platform and instantly access to a network of 3,000 taxis in Hong Kong.

Addressing Real Needs of Taxi Industry

The other co-founder of Taxiwise Co Ltd, Lawrence Tse said, “We have been doing research to understand the real needs of different key players including taxi license investors, drivers and passengers.  Apart from the language barrier in communicating with foreign passengers, taxi drivers usually find it difficult to take orders that fit their routes and working shifts.  ”  The mobile app, “Taxiwise”, is designed to solve the above problems.

“Taxiwise” app pairs taxi drivers seeking fares and passengers seeking taxis, in any area in Hong Kong around the clock.  The passenger knows immediately which taxi is coming and the driver’s contact details, while the driver knows where the passenger is located, his/her destination and contact details. 

Benefits to both Passengers & Drivers

The major features of “Taxiwise” are:

1.      Booking Translation

English passengers can book a taxi in Chinese language that increases his/her chance to get a ride.

2.      Advanced Booking

Passengers can make booking in advance for reliable and on-time service.

 3.      Order Matching

Taxi drivers can select the most suitable orders from the centralised order pool that fit their route and working shifts. 

4.      Web Portal for Corporates

Users such as hotels, exhibition centres and service apartments can make hundreds of bookings for their guests through the web portal with just few clicks.  They can easily print the confirmed booking details for guests’ reference.

“Taxiwise” app will be officially launched on both Andriod and iOS platforms in early December.  Lawrence said, “Some partner companies in the Hong Kong Science Park, including iMusicTech Ltd, App Mocha Limited, Bright System Ltd and GOnnect Ltd have signed up our beta corporate versions, and they will be surprised by the ‘Taxiwise’’s user-friendliness and systematic scheduling.”

About Taxiwise Company Limited

“Taxiwise” is a taxi booking mobile app providing passengers an easy way to book taxi service in English or Chinese language.  For drivers, they get more quality orders without language issues, as the app automatically translates orders from English to Chinese.  And for venues they can book and manage multiple taxis for their clients with an easy-to-use dashboard.  Taxiwise Company Limited is currently a member company of Incu-App Programme of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC). 

  Incubation Programmes of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation 

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) offers full-service incubation programmes to assist start-ups in their vulnerable inception stages. Ranging from the 1.5-year Incu-App Programme, 3-year Incu-Tech Programme to 4-year Incu-Bio Programme, the programmes incorporate industry-focused support services that address the needs of new companies during key stages of development. These include marketing and promotions, training and talent development, mentoring programme, consultancy services, investment matching events to connect angel investors and venture capitalists, subsidised R&D fitted office space and financial aid packages to facilitate research and development. Technology start-ups can also benefit from the advanced laboratories and test centres backed up by a team of professional engineers to support research and development in the five focused technology areas: Electronics, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Precision Engineering, Biotechnology and Green Technology.

HKSTPC is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and growth in Hong Kong by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and services. Further information about HKSTPC and the incubation programmes is available at www.hkstp.org and http://www.hkstp.org/en-US/Services-Programmes/Incubation-Programme/Overview.aspx#.UpRQX8QW3To

(The above information is provided and confirmed by Taxiwise Company Limited)

- End –

  Issued on behalf of Taxiwise Company Limited by HKSTPC

[taxiwise]

Jean-Marc getting interviewed in the Ming Pao daily, a local Hong Kong newspaper about the difficulties in finding funding in Asia.

[taxiwise]

Press Release: Agreement Announced Between Taxiwise and Touchmedia

Hong Kong, Monday, November 4, 2013: --- Taxiwise, the new taxi hailing app in Hong Kong, and Touchmedia, Hong Kong and China’s largest in-taxi media company, today announced an ongoing partnership. Taxiwise has signed a multiyear advertising agreement with Touchmedia in Hong Kong, who will give them access to their current 5 million taxi passengers per month and 3,000 plus taxis.  Taxiwise will be Touchmedia’s exclusive hailing app partner in Hong Kong.

Touchmedia CEO, Bernie Auyang said, “We are very impressed with the Taxiwise technology and service.  We saw them as a logical partner here in Hong Kong, and we hope, as they expand elsewhere, we can extend the relationship to other geographic areas. We are delighted to have them advertising on our screens and pleased to introduce them to our taxi partners.”

Lawrence Tse, Jean-Marc Ly and Truong Lam, the Managing Partners of Taxiwise, explained that they were completing beta testing and will launch at the end of this month in Hong Kong. The app pairs taxi drivers seeking fares and passengers seeking taxis, in any area, 24/7. The passenger knows immediately which taxi is coming, the driver’s name and contact information  The driver knows where the passenger is located, their name and where they are going.  Uniquely, the service is also available for venues including entertainment centres, convention and meeting areas, hotels and companies and has a built-in translation function, preventing misunderstandings for tourists and other non-Cantonese speakers.

To quote Lawrence Tse, “It takes the guess work out of finding a taxi.  It is quick, easy, totally reliable and cheap, which passengers in research have loved. Drivers are delighted with the translation function which eliminates misunderstandings with foreign customers.”

Jean-Marc Ly elaborated on the reason for the agreement. “Touchmedia obviously reaches more taxi passengers than any other media. We can explain Taxiwise on the interactive screen and they can join immediately.”

The ad campaign on Touchmedia will launch in December for consumers and the Taxiwise team is currently working with Touchmedia and the taxis, signing up driver partners.

  About Taxiwise

Taxiwise is a mobile taxi hailing app providing passengers an easy way to book in English or Chinese. For drivers, they get more quality orders, without language issues, as the app translates orders from English to Chinese. And for venues they can get multiple cars for their clients, whenever they need and book, manage and monitor them with an easy to use dashboard.   

For more information, please contact Jean-Marc Ly at [email protected] or visit their website www.taxiwise.co.

  About Touchmedia

Touchmedia was founded by its Executive Chairmanand Co-CEO Micky Fung in 2003 to develop state-of-art touchscreen media technology in China and internationally.   Today, Touchmedia is already the largest in-taxi media company in China and Hong Kong, providing an innovative marketing platform which allows brands to engage consumers more effectively, building higher involvement for better awareness, recall and response.

For more information, please contact Joey Au, Marketing Executive at [email protected] or on [852] 3798-8160.  For more about Touchmedia, visit our webiste：www.touchmedia.cn

[taxiwise]

Jean-Marc and Lawrence get interviewed by WenWeiPo, a local Hong Kong newspaper, about Taxiwise and life as an entrepreneur, and the difficulties adjusting to a new environment coming from overseas. The article is in Chinese. 

Link

[taxiwise]

What’s up with the cab drivers with the multiple phones on the dashboard?

Taxiwise gets a little press from Mr. Know-It-All in HK Magazine! The question is about the multitude of phones cab drivers use in Hong Kong and Mr. Know-It-All does a good job of answering the question. 

Thank you for mentioning Taxiwise Mr. Know-It-All!

Check out the pic below to see for yourself what HK taxi cabs are like inside!

[taxiwise]

TGIF! Its Friday the 13th. Here are screenshots of the app

Hello Everyone! 

Its Friday and Friday the 13th. We wish everyone a good weekend and leaving you all with couple screenshots of our apps. 

We are in the mists of fixing some bugs and then its to the app store. Stay tuned as we will be done very very soon. 

- Jean-Marc

[taxiwise]

Pitch Night Finals In Hong Kong

Attendees Watch Presenters At Pitch Night Finals 2013 After 3 months of startup pitch semi-finals it all comes down to this--6 startups, 3 judges, and approximately 150 attendees. Welcome to the Summer Pitch Finals 2013 at CoCoon, a cowork space and community for startups in Hong Kong. The 6 finalists have been [...]

We made it to the finals! We had a great time and thank you to everyone for your support. We got written on Forbes! The best part is that the author wrote several good things about us. 

Before the pitch, I was quite relaxed and decided to go with a story approach. I felt others would go for the more traditional and boring type of presentation and as I was first to present, I wanted to start with a good intro. 

I have to agree with the author that the other presenters did a wonderful job as well. Congratulations to the winners (who all happened to be good friends) and i'm glad to see the community embracing such an event. 

- Jean-Marc 

[taxiwise]

Taxiwise Customer Interview: Bikram Sohal, founder of SavvyMob

I recently sat down with Bikram Sohal, the founder of SavvyMob, to interview about his experience using Taxiwise.

How did you hear about our services?

I first heard about you guys from Cocoon’s pitch night and thought that it would be very helpful to me.

What service did you request?

A ride to the airport at 5am from my home in Sai Kung.

How did you find our translation and taxi booking service?

I like it because the difficulty is the language part and explaining to drivers where I live. This time, explaining to them before they come was very helpful especially since I live in an area that is hard to get to if you don’t know the area well.

What did you like about the concept of booking ahead of time?

It’s really nothing new, but it is quite helpful especially where I live. You can call ahead already with other call services, but there is still the difficulty of language. With Taxiwise, it was extremely easier and effortless. As I was preparing for my trip, I wanted to make sure that all was taken care of before I departed and taxi being one of them.

Any interesting experience from this trip to share?

Yes! I actually got a wake up call from the driver at 4:30am. Yes a wake up call… and he did wake me up. He also called me at 4:53am to tell me that he was on the way, at 4:58am asking where the location was exactly, and at 5:01am to tell me that he arrived. He was prompt and on time, helped me with my luggage and the best part…he left with a message that made my day even though it barely morning. “Have a great day!"  

We would like to thank Bikram for using Taxiwise to book his trip to the airport and best of luck in the future.

Send me a message if you have any interesting taxi stories. We can share it with the world.

- Jean-Marc

[taxiwise]

Taken with a 5d mark2 and a 50mm 1.8 lens. 

I brought only my 5dmark 2 and two lenses. My 24-70mm 2.8L and my super compact travel lens 50mm 1.8. I decided to use the 1.8 because its super light and can take great pics at low light conditions. The trick is to be able to make sure you have enough time to take the shot because since it is a low budget lens, the focus speed is quite slow. 

I used 2/200 shutter speed at f/2.2. Not ideal but for the sake of the moment, you just have to go with what you can especially without a flash.

Thank you Joyce for being the model and hope you guys enjoy the pictures. 

- JM

[taxiwise]

So how much do taxi drivers make?

Drivers in Hong Kong are mostly the older middle-aged or even some to be as old as your grandpa. Some are young and hip, but let's be honest, if not all, don't make enough money to bring home. 

These guys are like your TomTom, your Google Maps and Four Square all bundled up into one package. They know the roads of Hong Kong. They understand when and where to go in certain conditions. Want to grub on dim sum? No problem. They know which restaurant is the best. Need to get a massage after shopping? Great! Ask him and he will drive. These guys knows the city's best hot spots.

On another note, these guys don't get much appreciation. You expect to get every single ride that's worth your time, but couldn't be considerate enough to hand him an extra tip. They work long hours; 8-12 hours to be exact, earning enough to buy instant noodles and cigarettes on break time. And yet, these guys know the crevices of every district in Hong Kong. They make around 400-600 HKD per shift AND they need to pay for the petro, maintenances and all the other junk on top of that.

So imagine if one is frustrated and looks pissed off at you, step back and put yourselves inside his shoes and feel what he feels. He eats lunch when he can. You eat lunch at 12-1PM. He works by commission. You work by typing into your little MacBook Airs. He sleeps when there's no customers. You sleep comfortably on your king size mattress.

Next time, be a nice person and tip the drivers. Maybe you might even gain a new friend. 

[taxiwise]

For a second I thought I'm #wireframing for #windows #windowsmobile #windows8 #android #mobiledesign #taxiwise #customervalidation

[taxiwise]

Think it's easy hailing a taxi? Not so much.

Living in the states it's easy hailing a taxi, of course. Those yellow cabs driving around all day long. All you do is either flag them down or give a call right? Yeah, easy so far right?

Imagine you're in Union Square in San Francisco shopping at the 5-story Macy's. You get out and you need to take a taxi to, let's say, North Beach for some lunch. You flag down a taxi and BAM you get in. Easy! Take the same scenario and apply that in Hong Kong and you got yourself a problem.

You have to understand how taxis work here. Especially if you have no idea in the first place. Here below shows a taxi queue. In Hong Kong, there are some places you can stand at to wait for a taxi, but the lines can be very long -- especially at very hot places like Time Square in Causeway Bay. In Hong Kong it is common to hail a taxi and get rejected. Hell, they don't even pick you up half the time. They drive by and don't even look and frankly just ignore you. Some cover their fare tracker sign from since they only 'service' Kowloon side. You got tons of shopping bags, it's cold outside, MTR is another alien transportation to you and the worst of all taxi drivers DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

That is why we at Taxiwise want to help YOU guys who cannot speak the language get where you want to get. We handle all the grunt work for you. All you need to do is get on our website or app (coming really soon) and reserve a taxi.  We offer advance reservation for you when you have an itinerary already to go so you don't need to stand in line and feel the uncertainty. Tell us where you going in English and we will create the same itinerary in English ported to Chinese. Our drivers understands, they're polite and most importantly our drivers are TRUSTWORTHY.

Don't be scammed by high priced taxi drivers. Don't be a victim of discrimination by them not selecting who is who to drive. Be CERTAIN that you will be picked up. We offer trusted service and currently it is FREE OF CHARGE! Yes, that means you book through us we will process your booking free of charge.

Check us out here!

By: T. Lam

[taxiwise]

Jean-Marc Ly, one of our founders, interviewed by StartupsHK. 

[third-culture-blog]

Red Taxis Everywhere

[nighty-k-blog]