Millions of taxi passenger can use pay by and use
GPS-based location and mapping, weather updates, national and New York
City entertainment and city news available in NYC taxis thanks to a
solution developed by Sprint and VeriFone's U.S.-based taxi business, VeriFone Transportation Systems (VTS).
The
collaboration has resulted in equipping 6,600 NYC taxis with a
real-time integrated payment and information system, powered by Sprint
Mobile Broadband and Sprint Data Link to ensure secure credit card
transactions.
The system features a Passenger Information Monitor with a 10.4-inch
touch screen that allows passengers to review the fare, add a tip and
pay by swiping a credit card through a reader or using "tap and go"
contactless payment. The system includes programming from several
providers, including WABC-TV's local news, AccuWeather, Reuters
Business News, People.com (the leading celebrity news site), Disney
Broadway, Zagat Survey and PMbuzz.com (a leading source of information
on NYC night life). It also features a GPS component that helps
passengers quickly recover items accidentally left in cabs. Sprint and
VTS plan to deliver a similar solution to taxis in Philadelphia,
Chicago and Las Vegas.
"Sprint's Mobile Broadband helps achieve our goal of quick and
convenient credit card payments, with minimal processing time averaging
two seconds," said Bud Waller, executive vice president of Integrated
Systems, VeriFone. "Our partnership allows passengers to view current
news, sports and entertainment content and then close their
transactions in record time so they can be on their way."
"Security was a primary concern for VTS with a solution like this, and
Sprint's unique Data Link proves ideal to ensure secure credit card
transactions," said John Dupree, vice president of Enterprise and
Federal Government Sales, Sprint. "This is just one example of how
businesses can use Sprint Mobile Broadband and other mobility solutions
to enhance the interaction and services offered to customers, leading
to a stronger customer experience and information being available
virtually whenever and wherever needed."
Key to this solution is Sprint business solutions partner Direct
Communication Solutions Inc. (DCS), which worked with VTS and Sprint to
creatively alter the Mobile Broadband connection card to fit and
operate securely with custom software in the modified touch screen
monitor. Today, DCS manages the connection card inventory, handles card
modifications and software updates, and assists VTS and Sprint with
installation and activation in taxis.
"The system has not only improved our ability to manage fleets, but
drivers have found that it provides them with the ability to better
recover fares," said Solomon Neuschatz, NYC taxi owner/operator. "Most
have also noticed an increase in gratuities. In addition, passengers
love the fact that they're informed during the ride and have access to
information on restaurants, clubs and theaters right at their
fingertips."
Sprint is committed to providing individuals and businesses with
instant access to the things already important to them-just about
wherever they go. Today, Sprint covers more square miles, cities and
airports with mobile broadband than any other carrier, offering the
nation's largest mobile broadband network. The Sprint Mobile Broadband
Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 252 million
people, 16,914 cities and 1,612 airports.