Vancouver taxis to introduce in-car charging stations

Dec 19 2017, 6:29 pm

If you have a cellphone, you know the feeling of dread that accompanies a low battery icon. It happens to everyone – you’re using Google Maps to navigate your SkyTrain trip, all while chatting with friends on Facebook, checking Yelp! for the best food truck nearby and Instagramming this morning’s breakfast when, before you know it, your battery dies and you’ve got no way to power up.

But that feeling of dread may now be a thing of the past. In partnership with Play Taxi Media, Telus is unveiling the first-ever fleet of taxis in Canada that feature cell phone and tablet chargers. Rolling out over the coming months in over 1,000 cabs, taxi riders in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary will be able to power up their devices free of charge, all while on the go.

“It’s Murphy’s Law that your device battery will die right when you seem to need it the most,” says Anne-Marie Laberge, Vice President of Brand and Marketing Communications at Telus. “We’ve all been there – running late for a dinner date with friends or in between meetings when your phone dies before an important conference call. Our in-taxi chargers are just one way that we’re working to put customers first – they offer a simple convenience that will go a long way in making their lives easier and more connected.”

Taxis will be equipped with a power docking station located on the back of the passenger seat headrest and will work with any phone or tablet – just dock your device, sit back and enjoying the ride.

“I am asked multiple times every day by customers if I can charge their phone for them.  Sometimes they have conference calls in the cab and need a charge.  Now they can actually get one in the backseat,” says Angelo Georgilas, Toronto taxi owner and driver.

“From the late-night crowd trying to meet friends, to business professionals who need to jump on a conference call, phone charging stations in taxis are a great solution to this common predicament,” added Zachary Killam, CEO of Play Taxi Media.

The in-taxi chargers will be available on a trial basis through 2015 with Blacktop & Checker Cabs in Vancouver, Mayfair Taxi in Calgary, Ambassador Taxis in Toronto and Taxi Union in Montreal, with the program growing to include additional taxi companies in the coming months. At the end of 2015, the decision will then be made on whether to introduce the stations as a permanent feature.

Featured Image: Taxi In Vancouver via Shutterstock

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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