Zingo
ACT was chosen to design and integrate a revolutionary integrated transport system for direct taxi hailing, which would offer a new level of service to the public. Launched in 2003 as ‘Zingo’, the project allowed customers to call the nearest available black cab via a dedicated phone number.
Manganese Bronze Holdings Plc and services company Zingo Limited chose ACT to design, develop and supply the in-cab software system and terminal hardware to over 3,000 licenced London Taxi’s, creating a new generation of smart cabs. Zingo uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) plus the main mobile phone networks to establish the position of the customer and the nearest available licensed taxi before connecting them to arrange a pick-up.
Each state-of–the-art in-cab terminal has been custom programmed by ACT to seamlessly integrate and interact with each service element; including GPS, mobile network operators, hire lamps, taxi’s ignitions and smart cards. The terminal itself will enable drivers to verify and accept credit and debit card transactions using a built-in magnetic strip reader, as well as provide the capability to accept secure new EMV smart card-based methods of payment.
Drivers log on to the system at the beginning of their shift by means of a smart card inserted into the in-cab terminal. The system will then relay GPS location, hire status and the driver’s mobile phone details to the back office, while the Zingo service enables calls to be routed to taxis available for hire.
Zingo was awarded the Best Mobile Service in the Mobile Choice Awards 2003 and Mobile Technology Initiative of the Year at the CNET Networks UK Technology Awards 2003. Zingo has openly attributed its success to ACT’s technical integration services and staff commitment.
