17 Jul 2023

Introduction

A phone system is an essential tool for any taxi company, as it allows them to communicate with their customers, drivers, and dispatchers. It can improve customer satisfaction, driver efficiency, and business profitability. However, not all phone systems are created equal. A well-designed phone system enhances customer service, streamlines dispatching operations, and ultimately boosts overall efficiency. In the competitive taxi market, challenges such as managing high call volumes, handling peak hours effectively, and ensuring seamless communication are common. After exploring various phone systems for taxis, including call dispatching systems and dedicated phone systems for drivers and operators, we have found VoIP phone systems as the best for taxi companies.

In this article aim to provide insights and guidance to help taxi companies make informed choices. Whether you are starting a taxi business or looking to upgrade your existing phone system, we've got you covered.

What is a VoIP phone system and how do they work?

A VoIP phone system is a communication system that uses the internet to make and receive voice calls, instead of traditional phone lines. A VoIP phone system can offer many advantages for taxi companies, as well as for the telecom industry in general, such as cost savings, flexibility, integration, scalability, and more. By using a VoIP phone system, taxi companies can benefit from the latest innovations and developments in the telecom industry, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and 5G networks. These technologies can enhance the quality, reliability, and security of voice communication between customers, drivers, and dispatchers.

A VoIP phone system works in the following simple ways:
  1. A VoIP (Voice over Internel Protocol) converts voice signals into digital data packets that can be transmitted over the internet using a broadband connection.
  2. Most conveniently, a VoIP phone system can use different devices to make and receive calls, such as IP phones, softphones, mobile phones, or computers.
  3. Further, a VoIP phone system can use different protocols to establish and manage the calls, such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), etc.
  4. Furthermore, a VoIP phone system can use different services to connect the calls, such as a hosted PBX, or a cloud-based VoIP service and a SIP trunking.

VoIP features and their benefits that maximise taxi companies' efficiency

Now let's explore how these advanced telecommunication solutions streamline operations, improve customer experience, and optimise overall productivity in the fast-paced world of transportation services. Below are the features of VoIP that enhance efficiency for taxi companies, along with their benefits.

Feature#1: Caller recognition and screen-popping

Caller recognition and screen-popping is a feature that allows the phone system to identify the caller’s number and display relevant information on the screen, such as their name, address, booking history, and preferences. This can help the call handler to provide a personalised and efficient service, as well as reduce errors and save time.

How this feature benefits the customers?

The customers can enjoy a faster and more convenient booking process, as they do not have to repeat their information every time they call. They can also feel more valued and respected by the taxi company, as they are greeted by name and offered services that suit their needs and preferences.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can improve their customer retention and loyalty, as it can provide a more personalised and efficient service. They can also reduce their operational costs and increase their productivity, as they can avoid errors and save time by using accurate and updated customer data.

Feature#2: Voice automation and recognition

Voice automation and recognition is a feature that allows the phone system to automate inbound and outbound calls using interactive voice response (IVR) and voice recognition technology. This can help the taxi company to reduce call-centre overheads, improve customer service, and increase bookings.

How this feature benefits the customers?

Customers can enjoy a faster and more convenient booking process, as they can use their voice to book a taxi, check the status of their booking, or cancel or modify their booking. They can also choose to use text messages or mobile apps if they prefer. They can also receive personalised offers and promotions from the taxi company based on their needs and interests.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can reduce their call-centre overheads by automating inbound and outbound calls using voice automation and recognition technology. They can also improve their customer service by offering faster and more convenient booking options, such as voice commands, text messages, or mobile apps. They can also increase their bookings by reaching out to potential customers with targeted offers and promotions based on their location, preferences, and behaviour.

Feature#3: Toll-free number or local number

One of the features of the VoIP phone system that could attract more customers for the taxi business is toll-free numbers or local numbers. Most importantly, this feature allows the phone system to offer different types of phone numbers to customers and drivers, depending on their location and preference. Further, this enables efficient communication, providing updates, promotions, and notifications, ultimately enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.

How this feature benefits the customers?

The customers can enjoy a better communication experience, as they can choose the type of number that suits their needs and preferences. For example, some customers may prefer to call a toll-free number to avoid long-distance fees, while others may prefer to call a local number to support a local business or to trust a familiar area code.

How this feature benefits the drivers?

The drivers can enjoy a smoother and more productive workday, as they can use the type of number that suits their location and availability. For example, some drivers may prefer to use a toll-free number to receive calls from different regions or states, while others may prefer to use a local number to attract more customers in their area.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can enjoy a more profitable and competitive business, as they can offer different types of numbers to their customers and drivers. Overall, this can help them to reach more potential customers, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and optimise their supply and demand.

Feature#4: Porting a number

Porting a number is a feature that allows the phone system to transfer your existing phone number from one service provider to another. This feature can hold great importance as it helps the taxi company to keep their phone number when switching to a VoIP phone system.

How this feature benefits the customers?

The customers can enjoy a seamless communication experience, as they can continue to use the same phone number to contact the taxi company, regardless of the service provider. Moreover, they do not have to update their contacts or memorise a new number. Above all, they can also avoid missing calls or messages from the taxi company during the porting process.

How this feature benefits the drivers?

The drivers can enjoy a smooth and productive workday, as they can continue to use the same phone number to receive calls and messages from the taxi company, regardless of the service provider. Most importantly, they do not have to update their devices or settings. Further, they can also avoid missing jobs or instructions from the taxi company during the porting process.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can enjoy a more profitable and competitive business, as they can keep their phone number when switching to a VoIP phone system. Further, they do not have to change their marketing materials or inform their customers and drivers about a new number. Furthermore, they can also avoid losing business or reputation due to a change in the number.

Feature#5: Dispatch integration

Dispatch integration is a feature that allows the phone system to integrate with the dispatch software and hardware of the taxi company. Further, this feature can immediately help the taxi company to optimise their supply and demand, assign drivers to customers, track vehicles and drivers, and monitor performance.

How this feature benefits the customers?

Customers can enjoy a reliable and efficient taxi service, as they can get matched with the best available driver for their needs, receive updates on their booking status and driver arrival time, and provide feedback on their trip experience.

How this feature benefits the drivers?

The drivers can enjoy a smooth and productive workday, as they can get assigned to customers based on their location, availability, skills, ratings, and preferences, receive directions and instructions from the dispatch system or the phone system, and process payments and receipts easily.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can enjoy a profitable and competitive business, as they can optimise their supply and demand by integrating the phone system with the dispatch system, assign drivers to customers by using smart algorithms that consider factors such as location, availability, skills, ratings, and preferences, track vehicles and drivers by using GPS, maps, cameras, sensors, and other devices that provide live data on their status, location, speed, and direction, and monitor performance by using dashboards, analytics, and alerts that measure key indicators such as response time, customer satisfaction, driver earnings, and fuel consumption.

Feature#6: Email and SMS capabilities

Another feature of the VoIP phone system for the taxi business is email and SMS capabilities. This feature allows the phone system to send and receive emails and text messages to customers and drivers, using the internet or a mobile network. Further, this can enable efficient communication, providing updates, promotions, and notifications, ultimately enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.

How this feature benefits the customers?

Customers can enjoy a better communication experience, as they can receive emails and text messages from the taxi company, such as booking confirmation, driver details, trip updates, payment receipts, feedback requests, and special offers and promotions. Adding more to it, they can also reply to emails and text messages or use them to access other features, such as cancelling or modifying their booking, rating their driver, or contacting customer service.

How this feature benefits the drivers?

The drivers can enjoy a smoother and more productive workday, as they can receive emails and text messages from the taxi company, such as job notifications, trip details, payment confirmation, feedback requests, and rewards and incentives. It's so convenient that they can also reply to emails and text messages or use them to access other features, such as accepting or rejecting jobs, navigating to their destinations, processing payments and receipts, or contacting the dispatch system or customer service.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can enjoy a more profitable and competitive business, as they can use emails and text messages to communicate with their customers and drivers more efficiently and effectively. Further, they can also use emails and text messages to provide updates, promotions, and notifications that can enhance customer engagement and loyalty. Moreover, they can also use emails and text messages to collect feedback and data that can help them improve their service quality and performance.

Feature#7: Mobile app compatibility

Mobile app compatibility is a feature that allows the phone system to work seamlessly with mobile apps for both customers and drivers. This can help the taxi company to offer a modern and convenient booking experience, attract and retain drivers, and increase driver earnings.

How this feature benefits the customers?

Customers can enjoy a modern and convenient booking experience, as they can use their smartphones to book a taxi, check the status of their booking, track their driver’s arrival, pay for their trip, rate their driver, and provide feedback. Moreover, they can also access special offers and promotions from the taxi company through the mobile app.

How this feature benefits the drivers?

The drivers can enjoy a smooth and productive workday, as they can use their smartphones to accept jobs, navigate to their destinations, process payments and receipts, receive ratings and tips, and access rewards and incentives. Adding more to this, they can also manage their profile, availability, and preferences through the mobile app.

How this feature benefits the taxi company?

The taxi company can enjoy a profitable and competitive business, as they can offer a modern and convenient booking experience to their customers, and attract and retain drivers by giving them access to features such as job notifications, navigation, payment processing, ratings, tips, and rewards, and increase driver earnings by allowing them to accept more jobs, reduce idle time, avoid traffic congestion, and save fuel costs.

Taxi VoIP with Wavetel Business

At Wavetel Business, we are proud to offer cloud-based telephone systems that are tailored to the taxi trade. We have been serving taxi operators that have built long-lasting relationships with them. We have helped them save costs and cope with the challenges of the pandemic by using our VoIP technology. We have also integrated our phone systems with most of the despatch software systems in the UK market, such as Autocab, Cab Despatch, Cab Treasure, Cordic, iCabbi, and CAB9.

There are other tools for taxi companies besides business phone systems in order to become more efficient. We are a telecommunication company, and we love to talk, Contact us to discuss your taxi VoIP needs. We will provide you with the best phone system features for your setup and requirements.

Final thoughts

On reaching the conclusion, it is quite evident that a reliable and efficient phone system is vital for taxi companies to enhance their operations, improve customer service, and maximise efficiency. VoIP phone systems have proven to be the best choice for taxi companies due to their numerous features and benefits.

Caller recognition and screen-popping feature allow the phone system to identify callers and display relevant information, resulting in personalised and efficient service for customers while saving time and reducing errors for the taxi company. Voice automation and recognition streamline the booking process, improve customer service, and increase bookings by offering convenient options such as voice commands, text messages, and mobile apps.

Toll-free numbers or local numbers offer flexibility for customers and drivers based on their preferences and locations. Porting a number feature allows the taxi company to keep its existing phone number, ensuring seamless communication during the transition to a VoIP phone system.

Dispatch integration optimises supply and demand, assign drivers efficiently, tracks vehicles and drivers, and monitors performance, ensuring reliable and efficient taxi service. Email and SMS capabilities enable efficient communication, providing updates, promotions, and notifications, thereby enhancing customer engagement and loyalty. Mobile app compatibility enables modern and convenient booking experiences for customers, smooth operations for drivers, and increased driver earnings.

Wavetel Business provides tailored VoIP phone systems for taxi operators, integrating with popular dispatch software systems and offering cost savings and reliable technology. Whether starting a taxi business or looking to upgrade existing systems, implementing a well-designed phone system is essential for taxi companies to thrive in a competitive market, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

 

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