Minicab firm's phone app will get students stranded in Derby home safely
A DERBY minicab firm has teamed up with students in the city to offer lifts home to those who run out of cash on nights out.
Albatross Cars will launch the safety scheme when the new influx of university students arrives in September and October.
The scheme will enable students who need a minicab to book a cab either by telephone or by using an app on their mobile phone.
They will then receive a text message on their smartphone, telling them what the make, model and registration of the minicab will be so they know they are getting into the right cab.
The student will then hand their student identification to the driver as a deposit and collect it back the following day from the University of Derby Students’ Union while paying the minicab fare.
The scheme is the first of its kind in Derby, with Albatross teaming up to work with the union.
Yaser Mansha, managing director of Albatross Cars, said: “The safety and security of my customers is the highest priority.
“I once read a quote from Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds, who said ‘Look after the customer and the business will take care of itself’ and this is how I have always run my business, by looking after those customers.
“I firmly believe this, and this is why Albatross cars was the first minicab company in Derby to get the text-back system, which sends the customer a text message when the minicab arrives.
“The new system, where we have teamed up with the Students’ Union, is another innovative way that we are pushing our business forward and, most importantly, keeping our customers safe.”
Mr Mansha said the text-back service, which also lets the customer know the cab they have booked is legitimate and not illegally run, has proven popular with his customers since it was introduced a few years ago.
He said: “I have had thousands of people contacting me and thanking me for making them feel a lot safer, knowing they are getting into a pre-booked and insured minicab.”
Students’ Union president Daisy Giuliano said: “We feel that the scheme is highly valuable and are pleased to work with Albatross Cars to ensure the welfare of University of Derby students.”
Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Phone-a ... z3AkqJvzuM
