Real-Time Payments and Info in NYC Taxis from Sprint & Verifone

By Contributor Wireless and Mobile News on September 15, 2008 12:12 PM

Millions of taxi passenger can use pay by and use GPS-based location and mapping, weather updates, national and New York City entertainment and city news available in NYC taxis thanks to a solution developed by Sprint and VeriFone's U.S.-based taxi business, VeriFone Transportation Systems (VTS).

The collaboration has resulted in equipping 6,600 NYC taxis with a real-time integrated payment and information system, powered by Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint Data Link to ensure secure credit card transactions.

The system features a Passenger Information Monitor with a 10.4-inch touch screen that allows passengers to review the fare, add a tip and pay by swiping a credit card through a reader or using "tap and go" contactless payment. The system includes programming from several providers, including WABC-TV's local news, AccuWeather, Reuters Business News, People.com (the leading celebrity news site), Disney Broadway, Zagat Survey and PMbuzz.com (a leading source of information on NYC night life). It also features a GPS component that helps passengers quickly recover items accidentally left in cabs. Sprint and VTS plan to deliver a similar solution to taxis in Philadelphia, Chicago and Las Vegas.

"Sprint's Mobile Broadband helps achieve our goal of quick and convenient credit card payments, with minimal processing time averaging two seconds," said Bud Waller, executive vice president of Integrated Systems, VeriFone. "Our partnership allows passengers to view current news, sports and entertainment content and then close their transactions in record time so they can be on their way."

"Security was a primary concern for VTS with a solution like this, and Sprint's unique Data Link proves ideal to ensure secure credit card transactions," said John Dupree, vice president of Enterprise and Federal Government Sales, Sprint. "This is just one example of how businesses can use Sprint Mobile Broadband and other mobility solutions to enhance the interaction and services offered to customers, leading to a stronger customer experience and information being available virtually whenever and wherever needed."

Key to this solution is Sprint business solutions partner Direct Communication Solutions Inc. (DCS), which worked with VTS and Sprint to creatively alter the Mobile Broadband connection card to fit and operate securely with custom software in the modified touch screen monitor. Today, DCS manages the connection card inventory, handles card modifications and software updates, and assists VTS and Sprint with installation and activation in taxis.

"The system has not only improved our ability to manage fleets, but drivers have found that it provides them with the ability to better recover fares," said Solomon Neuschatz, NYC taxi owner/operator. "Most have also noticed an increase in gratuities. In addition, passengers love the fact that they're informed during the ride and have access to information on restaurants, clubs and theaters right at their fingertips."

Sprint is committed to providing individuals and businesses with instant access to the things already important to them-just about wherever they go. Today, Sprint covers more square miles, cities and airports with mobile broadband than any other carrier, offering the nation's largest mobile broadband network. The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 252 million people, 16,914 cities and 1,612 airports.