The taxi hailing app MyTaxi is to change its name for the second time in two years.

The app is to become 'Free Now' later this year.

The company has said the change is as a result of its majority shareholder, Daimler, joining forces with BMW.

This is the company's second re-brand in two years.

It changed its name from Hailo back in May 2017, following a merger between the taxi app and Europe's largest e-hailing company.

In a statement on this latest change, the company said: "At MyTaxi, we're always working hard to give people the freedom to move around cities as easily as possible.

"We're excited for the next step of the MyTaxi journey as we change our name to Free Now later this year.

"As we continue to grow across Europe, it's important that we are consistent, recognisable and offer the best experience possible to all our passengers, no matter where you hail from".

But it added that there will be no change to the MyTaxi service and app.

The current MyTaxi app will become Free Now later this year through an app update.

Customers will be notified via e-mail when the re-brand is taking place. However there is not an exact date for when the change will happen.

The company explained: "As part of a new agreement between our majority shareholder Daimler AG and BMW, later this year the MyTaxi app is to join a wider mobility brand family which is focused on expanding transport services offered to passengers in Ireland, across Europe and globally.

"This change will not require any actions from passengers or drivers in Ireland, who will still continue to be serviced and supported by the same existing MyTaxi Ireland team.

"It will not involve any data migration, technical adjustments or the need to download a new app."

"MyTaxi remains focused on meeting the growing public demand for taxis and the expansion of our regional footprint across Ireland in 2019", it added.

The app is available in nine countries and over 100 cities across Europe.

It carried some 16 million passengers across Ireland in 2018, its busiest year ever.

https://www.newstalk.com/news/mytaxi-re-brands-freenow-830271
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COVENTRY

The app-based eCars Private Hire taxi firm has launched in Coventry - and it's offering new customers £3 off their first ride.

eCars Private Car Hire has been serving customers in Birmingham and Solihull for four years - and now it has brought its services to Coventry.

The business was given the green light to begin operating by Coventry City Council in December 2018, making it the first app private hire provider service to operate in the city.

eCars Private Car Hire has since recruited 100 drivers dedicated to its Coventry service.

All drivers have been D.B.S checked and are fully licenced, meaning you can enjoy a safe and comfortable journey 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, wherever your destination may be.

Whether you're heading into town or need a lift to a business meeting, eCars will provide friendly, affordable and professional service that you won't find anywhere else.

How does it work?

Booking a trip with eCars Private Car Hire couldn't be easier as it works similar to the popular service, Uber.

Customers can book their very own private vehicle by downloading the free eCars app on their phone, which is available on the AppStore and GooglePlay.

Whether it's a quick trip across the city, or you need a lift to the airport, eCars diverse fleet will make every journey you make a breeze.

And unlike rival companies, customers won't suffer from surcharges.

If you need to travel during peak times, then you don't need to worry about paying extra, as every trip with eCars comes at a fixed rate.

There's also the option to pre-book your journey at a fixed fare, so there's no added stress if your trip takes longer than planned, just sit back and relax.

Passenger safety is a top priority for eCars too, that's why it offers a tracker device.

The customer can send an alert to a family member, friend or loved one that enables them to see where they are on their journey, as well as providing them with the details of the driver and vehicle.

And as well as serving the general public, eCars also works with schools in Birmingham provide safe a secure travel for students.
What cars are available?

eCars offer a superb variety of vehicles to its customers.

During your booking process, you can choose from a number of cars that are best suited to your journey.

There are high-end vehicles for business travel, to MPV's that are great for chartering your family to the airport and saloon cars perfect for your everyday commute.

eCars have a fleet of luxury cars for you to travel in style

And if you want to travel in style then eCars fleet of luxury vehicles, including Jaguar's, Audi's are available to you at the touch of a button.

eCars fleets are also working towards becoming as eco-friendly as possible by building up a fleet of low and zero emission cars, all under five-years-old.
How much does it cost?

One of the many benefits that come with using eCars is just how affordable each journey is.

A trip in a saloon car will have a base rate of £3.50,  while executive cars and MPVs are priced at a base rate of £5.

By pre-booking your taxi online, you can pay for your journey up-front with no extra costs.

New customers can even £3 off their first trip in Coventry by using the promocode ECARS1.
Who is it available to?

eCars Private Hire is available to anyone who downloads the free app and creates an account.

There's also the option to create a corporate account which provides your business with an account manager, client admin facility and quick and reliable system that allows you to view past, present and planned trips.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/special-features/you-like-uber-youll-love-15854607
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 MERSEYSIDE

One of the world's largest ride-hailing taxi firms - and a direct rival to Uber - is about to launch in Merseyside.

Ola, one of the biggest companies of its kind, from India, has won a licence to operate in Liverpool and the surrounding boroughs in a move that is set to shake up the industry.

The firm said councils in Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral have given permission for the technology and transport company to operate with both hackney taxis and private hire licenses.

The app will go live to customers in March, with driver onboarding already underway.

The new app is set to go-live in this month and will the company says it will "transform" the use of transport in all Merseyside boroughs.

Company bosses said the various communities will benefit from "greater travel choice", with quicker and easier access to taxis across the area.

Ben Legg, Ola’s managing director, said: “This is an exciting moment for everyone at Ola and we are extremely pleased to arrive in Liverpool to give drivers and riders greater choice in their daily lives.”

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/game-changing-taxi-app-giant-15874103 
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