Real-time ride requests can now be arranged on the Guernsey Taxi App.

The introduction of a taxi booking system accessible by app was a key recommendation of a Taxi Review which found the industry was 'not fit for purpose' in September last year.

The app uses GPS to track the users' location and a pin can be dropped on the desired destination.

An estimated fare for the journey will appear on the screen but an in-vehicle taxi meter will calculate the final price to be paid directly to the driver.

All taxis in service are displayed by small icons.

For now, the app only supplies on-demand rides - for pre-booked taxis people will still need to contact taxi companies directly.

Traffic and Highway Services have made it available on both Android and iPhone, aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of taxi services on the island.

The committees worked with the Guernsey Taxi Drivers Association over the last 7 months, as the system was developed.

Head of the GTDA, Nicki Bessin, says she is happy this modern system is now available locally:

"As technology evolves, so does the way in which people interact and communicate in all walks of daily life.

Taxi Apps have been successful in many other regions of the world, and it has been a growing requirement for the technology to be brought to us here in Guernsey.

We are pleased the new Guernsey Taxi App has been launched in time for the Island Games 2023 and we hope the scheme will be adopted positively by the industry as well as the consumer.”

Environment & Infrastructure President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez expects it will be well used:

“There is strong customer demand from islanders and an expectation from visitors that this kind of app is available in Guernsey, and the independently authored Taxi and Private Hire Car Review highlighted that the provision of a booking app for taxis is vital for the future of the sector."

She explains what this means for the industry going forward:

"The Committee has decided to make it mandatory for taxi licence holders to provide a booking service via an app by January 2024.

To help facilitate this change and to support licence holders in the early months following introduction of the new service, the Committee has agreed to fund subscription fees for the app until the end of 2023, enabling them to experience the benefits of the new facility with no additional cost.”

To find the app go to the Apple AppStore or GooglePlay and search "Guernsey Taxi App".

This is the second transport app to be introduced in Guernsey this year, after the Guernsey Buses app launched last month.