by admin | Dec 14, 2018 | Media
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque’s oldest cab company is making a big change to try to take back some of the business that’s shifted to ride-sharing services over the last few years.
The old “Yellow-Checker Cab” company was recently bought out by a new owner that’s renamed the taxi business “zTrip.”
The new owners are positioning themselves as a so-called “better choice” by combing elements of traditional taxicab services with those of ride-share services.
“We like to bill ourselves as the perfect hybrid between a rideshare vehicle and a taxi cab,” said Bill George, President and CEO of zTrip.
Over the last few months, George’s company has been buying up old taxi businesses across the U.S., including Yellow-Checker Cab in Albuquerque. So far, zTrip is now in 19 U.S. cities across states like Colorado, Texas, Kansas and Florida.
“We saw what the fleets were in Albuquerque,” said George. “There was a lack of an investment, there was a lack of investment in technology in the vehicles.”
An old fleet of cars is just one of the reasons some people say they’ve turned away from traditional cab services in recent years.
“They’re a little sketchy, smelly,” Albuquerque resident Jennifer told KRQE News 13 Wednesday when asked about her thoughts on old cab services.
Others have complained about the comfort and price of old cabs.
“It’s just charging you while you’re at a red light, so the meters going up,” said Jessica of old-style cab service.
Meanwhile, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have taken off in popularity in the metro area. Those services hire local drivers to use their own private cars to give rides. With Uber and Lyft, customers can only get a ride through their use of a smartphone app.
CEO Bill George says zTrip is different than ride sharing.
“We want to be a better choice from the safety aspect, from the insurance aspect,” said George.
The company says it screens and hires all zTrip drivers. The company also owns the entire fleet of cars used for rides, including handicap accessible vehicles.
To compete with on-demand ride-sharing services, George says zTrip also has an app that works just like Uber or Lyft’s. George says their pricing is comparable too, with no surge pricing as is commonly seen with ride-sharing services.
People can also call zTrip directly to book a ride, or hail a driver from the side of the street.
“Here’s what a taxicab does really well, here’s what a rideshare does really well, what if we bridged that gap and put both of them together?” said George.
Albuquerque is zTrip’s first service area in New Mexico, but the company says it’s still looking to expand.
By: Chris McKee
Posted: Dec 13, 2018 10:25 PM MST
View Original Article
by admin | Dec 14, 2018 | Media
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A new taxi service named zTrip has acquired Yellow Cab’s New Mexico license.
According to a news release from zTrip, the company has launched a fleet of 20 sedans and 20 minivans in Albuquerque.
Bill George, CEO of WHC Worldwide/zTrip, said five more wheelchair accessible vehicles will be available in the next year.
“Albuquerque’s size was a big factor in our decision to move here,” George said in a phone interview. “We saw the market and felt it was under served.”
George said zTrip is a hybrid between a taxi and ride share service, with the safety of having a licensed, insured driver.
“We also offer a set fare that doesn’t change at 2 a.m. or 2 p.m., good weather or bad,” he said.
The zTrip app service allows immediate or future bookings, with the option of picking the driver. Cutomers can pay with cash, credit card or through the app.
George declined to say how much zTrip paid for Yellow Cab.
BY ABQJOURNAL NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 at 4:09pm
View Original Article
by admin | Dec 11, 2018 | Media
Albuquerque, NM, December 07, 2018 –(PR.com)– Albuquerque’s Iconic Yellow Cab Sold – zTrip Launches New Taxi Fleet. zTrip announces fleet launch in Albuquerque – providing the safety of a taxi with the ease of on-demand service.
zTrip, a new innovative taxi service, has acquired Yellow Cab’s New Mexico taxicab operating authority. zTrip will launch with a new fleet of 40 sedans and minivans in the Albuquerque market today.
“Our mission is to use mobility to enhance the lives of our customers, driver partners and employees,” said Bill George, President of zTrip. zTrip combines the trust and safety of a taxi service, with the ease and speed of an on-demand car service, providing benefits not available from any other competing “Car Hailing” service in the area. Albuquerque’s residents and visitors now have a safe and comfortable alternative to traditional taxicabs and the new rideshare apps.
“We are excited to introduce zTrip to the Albuquerque market. zTrip was designed to combine the best features of the new e-hailing transportation services, along with the safety and security of licensed and inspected taxicabs. We are committed to providing every traveler with a new level of personal transportation service,” said George.
zTrip stands out from the competition, providing features like:
· The zTrip app allows you to book trips for now or later.
· No surge pricing: The same low price every time, whether it’s 2 p.m. or 2 a.m.
· Professional and licensed drivers with full fingerprint background checks: You don’t have to worry about who is driving you home.
· 24/7 live customer service: You can talk to a live support team member anytime
· zTrip also provides hotels, hospitals, bars, restaurants and other high-volume users with a “zTrip Butler” that allows customers to summon a cab with the press of a single button.
In January 2019 zTrip will also launch an ADA option for a wheelchair taxi service at the same low price. “This is a real game changer for the disabled community in the Albuquerque area,” said, George. “We are proud to be the only “ride app” to include wheelchair transportation in its service offerings.
Additional features of zTrip include:
· Choose if you want to pay cash or credit card or through the app – No other service provides this flexibility.
· Freedom to choose your favorite driver – Get reliable service the first time, and every time
· Choose different vehicle types. Sedan or Van
To celebrate zTrip’s launch in Albuquerque, new users can download the promo code ABQzTrip for $10 in zTrip ride credits through December 31st. Download the zTrip app in the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores.
About zTrip
zTrip launched in 2016 and is now available in 19 U.S. cities with a fleet of more than 3,500 vehicles. WHC Worldwide is the zTrip affiliate in Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
Read the full story here: https://www.pr.com/press-release/771745
Press Release Distributed by PR.com
View Original Article
