A taxi comparison app that saves users money and donates to charity is launching in Manchester
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WamBamm will launch on August 8, and will allow users to compare taxi fares before they book a cab
A new taxi comparison app is set to launch in Manchester next month, promising to save passengers money and donate to local hospices in the process.
WamBamm will roll out across Greater Manchester from August 8, with 8,000 registered taxi drivers already on board.
Owner Faisel Khan, who was born and raised in Lancashire, hopes the app will allow customers to compare taxis for the best deals, and that the business will support local taxi firms.
After having the idea two-and-a-half years ago, Khan set up a crowdfunding page to fund the app development and launch. This attracted an investor and he's now preparing to launch the service in Manchester.
The service will start fairly centrally then spread out to cover all of Greater Manchester, with plans to launch the service in London before the end of the year. Manchester will remain the central hub of the project.
Mr Khan, 40, has worked in sales for the entirety of his career until deciding to set up his own business.
"I have friends in the taxi industry who felt like Uber was taking all their business, and I just thought 'Why don't we all work together?'
"I've always thought there has to be something better for customers. Something better than ringing all these different taxi companies for a quote or having several apps on your phone to find the best deal."
He hopes that WamBamm will streamline the service for both users and taxi firms.
Users who download the free app will be able to view the fare for their journey as well as which taxi will be able to pick them up the quickest.
"The cheapest taxi might not always be the one you choose to use," said Khan. "If you're in a rush, you'll be willing to pay more for a closer vehicle and quicker journey."
The fares shown on the app are the fares set by the taxi firms - no booking fees or admin fees for the user.
He is also pledging to donate 1p from every pound spent through the app to charity.
The first charity will be chosen by WamBamm, but is likely to be a local hospice.
Khan has witnessed first-hand the valuable work of the staff at these hospices.
"They work so hard and are so underfunded," he said. "It's heartbreaking to see. They do such amazing work."
After the first month, users of the app will be able to nominate and vote for a charity to receive donations for the following month.
Faisel hopes to film videos with the charities and to report on how they have spent the money.
"I want our customers to see where their money has gone and the good that it is doing," he said.
WamBamm will launch in Manchester on August 8.
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