iCabbi to offer operator stakes in new jointly-owned dispatch business

iCabbi has launched a new service called Taxi Alliance, its response to rival Autocab’s iGo system, through which Autocab users can receive jobs from other firms on the platform – and parent company Uber. iCabbi describes Taxi Alliance as “a new, jointly-owned venture created in response to customer demand for greater security as large technology companies continue to expand and acquire the UK & Irish passenger markets”.

The announcement does not go into detail about how the system works, but iCabbi CEO Gavan Walsh (pictured, right) said operators will have the opportunity to become shareholders in the Taxi Alliance system, and a Board of Governance will be put in place including representatives of operators, who would in theory be able to veto any attempt to sell the syste to a ride-hailing company.

Walsh said: “iCabbi acted decisively, working with Mobilize [the Renault Group mobility arm that owns the Dublin-based dispatch provider] to deliver a new model for the UK & Irish markets. The Taxi Alliance gives Operators the chance to have a say and a stake in the technology they use to defend and grow their business.”

“Fleets will also benefit from collective negotiating power when bidding for new business or engaging with regulatory issues. In short, independent firms retain independence while gaining greater influence.”

Walsh told iCabbi users in a webinar: “The Taxi Alliance makes us stronger together, gives customers board representation, a say in product development and confidence in a shared future.”

The Taxi Alliance system is based on a similar concept to the Riide app, and a new team is being formed to lead the business, headed by Mark English & Odhran Ginnity, both of whom were involved in the Riide app.

“A change is needed in our industry and we’re building that change collaboratively – this work starts now,” Walsh concluded.