tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2708859863717325805.post334146120684857014..comments2024-02-13T12:56:46.050-08:00Comments on The Phantom Cab Driver Phites Back: On the Back-seat Terminals: Some Facts?Crocker Amazonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344354862430937003noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2708859863717325805.post-74215283618604594812011-03-26T08:52:20.818-07:002011-03-26T08:52:20.818-07:00We've fully implemented the PIM's (persona...We've fully implemented the PIM's (personal information monitor) at DeSoto Cab. I still drive a cab and I have no issue working with the PIM. The audio is literally unnoticeable from the driver seat, especially if you have the dispatch radio and/or the car radio on, or even just the driver window down. My experience with the PIM has been excellent. The majority of the riders love to use it and I actually enjoy the conversation with my passengers when they sometimes need guidance through the payment process. It's usually a pleasant interaction and it just adds to the tip. My tips are noticeably higher. I assume that's partially because I don't try to discourage the passenger from paying with the card. As a matter of fact, I encourage them to. The bottom line in my opinion is that this machine makes the driver more money, it's unobtrusive and creates an interactive payment experience for the ridership. It's a positive for our industry.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11179898107502732359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2708859863717325805.post-88288079952564991642011-03-25T13:50:04.504-07:002011-03-25T13:50:04.504-07:00Way should the drivers get any advertising money?
...Way should the drivers get any advertising money?<br />Do they share the burden when they smash the hell out of a cab?<br />When they get a $200 trip do they pay the exact same gate as any other day?<br />I am actually against advertising inside but it looks like I'll be over ruled on that like I am on most things.Richard Hybelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2708859863717325805.post-56200270962015421812011-03-25T11:55:33.913-07:002011-03-25T11:55:33.913-07:00I got a demonstration of the Verifone back seat te...I got a demonstration of the Verifone back seat terminal at DeSoto, though there were not yet any advertisements on it or the ABC News programming it will also feature. With regard to the first misconception you mention, Ed, I'm afraid you've answered it with a misconception. The fact is, there IS sound. It can be varied and tamped to a murmur, perhaps, but it's still and definitely audio, and since it's the news and advertising, the term TV is perfectly accurate. The driver can control the volume to a point but cannot turn it off. Thus if you or the customer wanted to talk, listen to quiet music, or just be quiet, there would always be the constant murmur of the machine. The advantage is that customers can swipe their cards and add tips through prompts. DeSoto says drivers are reporting higher tips. That's the selling point. So there's the tradeoff. As for the driver fund share dropping from 50% to 10%, I think that fits under the category of backroom swindle. Ultimately, the benefit of customer control of the transaction, which I would like, does not weigh out against the irritating, constant murmur of blather, the drunks and the children punching the thing, or the additional gadget that nobody needs. If it were just the payment screen, I'd be fine with it. I love the Verifone front screen. It's made credit cards much, much easier. But I make my tips from engaging with the customer and I am repulsed by yet another unstoppable noisemaking gadget in a small, enclosed space. A little louder and it would qualify as "torture." BudBudCabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01626440486672289998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2708859863717325805.post-4372294470792286482011-03-24T17:51:30.894-07:002011-03-24T17:51:30.894-07:00'Taxi TV" is just a generic nickname used...'Taxi TV" is just a generic nickname used to describe them. They're not really TVs. But in New York, they're nicknamed "Taxi Tvs".SF Taxi Mediahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01107589955139216571noreply@blogger.com