Ubiquitous back another loser.

Mobile commerce company Proxama has signed a long-term exclusive contract with Ubiquitous, which is the UK's largest provider of taxi advertising.

Under the new contract, Proxama's marketing division, which focuses on connecting consumers to retailers and brands via mobile proximity marketing using Bluetooth low-energy beacons, will look to install beacons in up to 4,000 black cabs across the UK so passengers can receive context-relevant messaging.

Proxama did not disclose any financial details of the deal but said the contract is for a three-year period.

John Worley, Proxama's marketing chief, said: "This is an excellent high profile partnership for us and one which we believe is extremely well suited to proximity marketing. The average cab journey lasts around 20 minutes in London and is a natural time for people to check their smartphone for messages and new content. We look forward to seeing the customer reaction."

http://sharecast.com/news/proxama-inks-london-taxi-mobile-advertising-deal/23268279.html
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DUBLIN
 
 Hailo warns against proposed College Green traffic changes

Proposed traffic changes to College Green will have significant impact on taxi passengers, drivers and local businesses, taxi service Hailo has said.

The changes, which include restrictions on private cars and taxis, form part of the Dublin City Centre Transport Study, published by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority.

The study proposes extending the current “bus gate” at College Green to exclude cars, vans and taxis on a 24-hour basis, restricting the street permanently to Luas, buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

The proposal said taxis will be excluded “from using the road space as a through route or as a taxi rank” and that the taxi rank at College Green will be relocated, to ensure the space is “utilised most efficiently”.

Hailo said the proposal to restrict access to College Green and its associated area will result in a significant inconvenience to taxi passengers by reason of the circuitous routes that taxis would have to take to deliver their passengers to their intended destination in the city centre resulting in increased travel times and additional fare costs.

It said the complete taxi restriction will also mean taxis will not be able to service hotels, bars, shops and businesses in the area.

After analysing hundreds of thousands of recent taxi journeys in Dublin city, Hailo said it found almost 20 per cent of all journeys which originate within the canal cordon currently pass through College Green and therefore will be impacted by these proposed changes.

“It is Hailo’s opinion that the measures proposed are anti-competitive by reducing the ability of customers in the city centre to access taxis, whilst also increasing the cost of journeys, thus pushing customers on to other public transport modes,” the company said.

Hailo Ireland general manager Tim Arnold said the taxi service acknowledged the importance of providing an improved public transport system. However, he said the importance of taxis in providing an alternative transport mode has not been taken into consideration in the study.

“Taxis should be considered an integral part of Dublin’s transport network. Restricting taxi access could have some potentially serious implications for taxi passengers, drivers and businesses,” he said.

He said the College Green bus gate should remain open for taxis on a 24 hour basis, but especially between the hours of 11pm and 7am, when buses and Luas services are less frequent.

“Taxi use spikes when bus and Luas services aren’t operational. Thus, taxis should be able to use College Green at those times.”