Brighton taxi boss says new app will 'revolutionise' industry

Michael Safeen, owner of Taxis4U in Brighton, says the app allows a customer to negotiate a fare with his network of drivers before booking.

Customers input their location and destination before selecting one of five price bands. The offer will then go out to all taxis on the network and the drivers can accept the customer’s price or suggest a different one in their response.

When the driver sends their response it will include their photograph, distance from the customer and the make and model of the vehicle.

“It means that if a car is near and the passenger is in a rush, they can pay slightly more and get there sooner or wait for a taxi that is further away if they have time and want to pay less,” said Michael.

“It gives the customer more control. They can arrive somewhere in a Mercedes if they pay a little more or in an Hyundai for less. It’s up to them. There’s also a picture of the driver so they can choose who picks them up.

Responses from taxi drivers to a customers price suggestion seen here (Image: Supplied)

“There are no hidden costs. For example when you go to Gatwick, some operators may charge you for parking or drop off fees, but our price includes all that.”

Michael, who has a degree in internet system architecture, began driving taxis in Brighton in 2010 before founding Taxis4U in 2018.

He said that companies like Uber operate “surge” fares making them more expensive during busy hours, but his app gives customers greater freedom.

In fact, Michael says his app could soon help people across England.

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“We’ve got contracts in Brighton, Lewes and Chichester, and hope that we can go to London. Then we go national.”

But the Taxis4U boss will not leave his elderly customers behind.

“People can still call us and book a taxi over the phone, and they can still pay in the taxis by cash or card if they’d like,” he said.