LOCAL CAB COMPANY LAUNCHES MOBILE APP
TheCAB’s management team (from left): vice president Darwin Abenoja, president Howard Higa, operations manager Ryan Matsumoto and manager Dorothy Requilman THECAB PHOTOS
After taking over ownership of TheCAB in 1995, serial entrepreneur Howard Higa – who’d already had a laundry list of companies he’d launched under his belt – went about reviving the then-struggling business. And he did – TheCAB now employs 800 independent drivers and dispatches thousands of cars daily. Beyond those figures, everybody, of course, knows TheCAB for those once-ubiquitous Frank De Lima-as-tutu commercials where he cheekily sings its number, 422-2222.
Part of the company’s success can be attributed to its ongoing effort to update its services. Over the years, it has launched credit card payment and created pre-paid cards.
And it’s continuing that trend with its latest development: TheCAB mobile app.
The app, which was created and developed by a mobile app design company like Expedition Co. (https://www.expedition.co/services/design/mobile-app) and went live a few months ago, allows riders to hail a cab instantly or schedule a ride, right from their phone or tablet.
“I am so excited about this new project of ours,” says Dorothy Requilman, a manager at TheCAB.
“We wanted to offer various ways for the customer to be able to choose how to book their taxi – by app, by web booker, or by calling 422-2222,” Requilman continues. “It’s nice to have choices, right?”
In that vein, the app is designed to give people choices for all facets of their ride ahead of time, as each trip is customizable. Customers select whether they want to pay cash or charge, and how many passengers they need the car to accommodate. They also can select cars that allow access onto military bases or bringing pets along. Not to mention, this app marketing is great for the cab company as they can build great customer relationships and introduce them to new services and offers.
To avoid any mid-ride confusion, riders also can set their drop-off location when they book. And if there’s anything else you think your driver should know about the trip, there is a space to include a note – which is useful for things like explaining to the driver exactly where you will be waiting.
If you need a cab right now, the amount of time it takes will naturally depend on your location, but without having to wait for a dispatcher to take your call, it seems like a time saver.
“Sometimes our phones and call-takers are so busy, but this (allows us) to accommodate calls as much as possible,” Requilman says. “If the phone is too busy, (passengers) have other ways to book their taxi – and you won’t have to wait for an answer; the app is right there and you can book it on your phone.”
As Requilman explains, although the app just launched recently, it’s the result of years of research and development. The company has been working on the product for a few years, dating back to when apps first were hitting the market on the Apple Store or websites like Cult of Apps.
Speaking of mobile applications in general, no matter what size of business you have, creating your own mobile app can have huge benefits. For that reason, it might be essential to hire a mobile application development firm like Darwoft (click to visit their website) or others like them that can build the app keeping the company’s vision in mind as well as the industry in which it operates.
Coming back to Requilman, she says it’s part of Higa and TheCAB’s tradition of wanting to stay abreast of new technologies: “The company is always looking for new ideas. We’re always trying to adapt as much as possible and want to be able to cater to what the consumer wants.
“We want to make sure that our customers get their taxi,” Requilman continues, “and find their way to where they want to be.”
TheCAB mobile app is available for free for both Android and iOS. Once you download the app, simply register as a new user to begin booking a ride. For more information, visit thecabhawaii.com.
