Iqaluit’s biggest cab company launches smartphone app

Ordering a cab in Nunavut’s capital can now be done with a few taps on your smartphone.

That’s the hope, at least. Iqaluit’s biggest taxi company, Caribou Cabs, launched an app last week that works in much the same way as popular ridesharing apps in the south, like Uber.

The app is the result of two years of research and testing with Montreal-based taxi-app company, Mega Taxi, which built the app, according to Caribou Cabs’ public relations manager, Idris Omar.

The app lets customers choose their destination, whether they want a car or a van, and even has a box to check off for pets that may be coming along for the ride.

It also shows customers how many taxis are in their area and notifies them of approximately how long it will take until the car arrives at their door. Once it is ordered, the taxi can be tracked on a map built into the app.

After their ride, customers can rate their driver out of five using a star system.

The new app shows customers how many taxis are in their area. (Screenshot)

As part of the new system, Caribou Cabs’ drivers now have tablets attached to their dashboards. Once a passenger is picked up, the tablet will display their destination. The tablet also receives incoming calls for other customers nearby who could be picked up along the route.

Once a call comes in, the driver has about 30 seconds to respond to the request. According to Omar, the system automatically dispatches calls to each driver based on predetermined zones.

The tablets are also equipped with cameras that begin recording automatically once the driver has accepted a call. The cameras are meant to hold drivers and customers accountable, said Omar.

Omar hopes the app will not only reduce the number of calls the company receives, but will also reduce wait times for customers.

The company currently has two different dispatchers, each capable of handling about six calls at a time, which means people often receive a busy signal during peak times.

“Because of the volume of the calls we often receive, like rush hour for example, a minimum of 20 or 30 people will call at the same time,” he said.

“So we thought pushing the app might eliminate half of the people calling.”

Although the app is fully functional, it is still in its “testing phase,” according to Omar.

For example, the company’s taxis continue to only accept cash. Omar said he plans to introduce other payment options, but wants customers to get comfortable with the app first.

Caribou Cabs continues to accept phone calls and runs a 24-hour dispatch.

The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.