A local businessman hopes that selling his taxi business will help greatly improve service to St. Albertans.
Aaron Taxi announced Thursday that it would be joining the burgeoning vehicle-for-hire company with a Facebook post stating: “Aaron Taxi St. Albert is now TappCar.”
TappCar is an Edmonton-based company. It acts as a hybrid between the traditional taxi industry and new popular ride-sharing apps like Uber.
The company makes use of app-based technologies – where at the click of a few buttons clients can book a ride via their smartphone, track the arrival of their ride and rate their experience or driver – but employs mainly full-time, insured drivers.
“What I liked about TappCar is that they are the only technology and ridesharing company that is following the rules,” said Jean-Pierre Cloutier, former owner of Aaron Taxi.
The move will improve the quality of service for St. Albertans he said.
Not only will residents have access to a bigger fleet of vehicles – TappCar has roughly 250 drivers – therefore reducing wait times, but as a private transportation provider the company is allowed to pick up and drop off almost anywhere in the capital region.
“There are a lot of hurdles that we face in St. Albert in terms of service. It’s not a problem getting a ride to go out to have a nice dinner in Edmonton, but to come it is,” said Cloutier.
Under Edmonton’s taxi bylaw, Edmonton cabbies cannot pick up in St. Albert or they will face a fine, so they often refuse service to the neighbouring city. As a private transportation provider, Cloutier hopes TappCar can improve the situation.
Fares are also expected to be lower under the new TappCar banner.
Talks between the two companies began in April – around the time TappCar began serving the St. Albert community – and concluded recently. Cloutier was offered the role of chief operating officer for TappCar, which he accepted.
Although Aaron Taxi drivers are individual contractors, as part of the deal Cloutier was able to offer them the opportunity to drive for TappCar as part of the business deal. Five or six of them have already signed on.
Cloutier hopes that the loyal customer base Aaron Taxi has built over the past 20 years of service will also support the venture.
“If you’re a client from St. Albert you’ll get to enjoy newer vehicles and easier ways to book your car,” said Pascal Ryffel, spokesperson for TappCar.
TappCar has strict vehicle and driver requirements. Vehicles cannot be older than five years and must undergo annual inspections. Drivers must provide a driver’s abstract, possess a valid Class 4 license and have a clean criminal record dating back seven years.
