‘Order and share a taxi with the new application Splyt and save up to 40% off for the ride’. That’s what Brussels leading radio circuit Taxis Verts (600 cabs) promises its old and new customers since yesterday.

Splyt, a global first in the taxi industry according to Taxis Verts, offers a unique and innovative service that will radically change the way one orders a cab. Splyt is a way to share a taxi in a dynamic way (both during the order and during the ride itself), with fares falling to 40% of the normal rate. This application also allows the user to choose who to share the cab with and how to share the cab fare. Through the app a Taxis Verts cab can be ordered and shared throughout the Brussels Capital Region, 24/7. In the coming weeks, the application will also be made available in other Belgian cities.

With Splyt, passengers can put together a taxi share carpooling (taxi pooling) in and around Brussels and also share the cost of their ride. With this innovation the taxi sector is clearly responding to the needs and requirements of its customers and wants to ensure its Brussels taxi users a faster service with a licensed taxi, a more efficient service and above all one with a better price (-40%).

This application is a first, claims Taxis Verts, although there are similar systems in various other countries. For instance, in January Transdev in The Netherlands launched its very similar Abel-service using electric cabs. But for Belgium it represents a major change. “This service is a first in the taxi world”, said Michel Courtoy, Taxis Verts CEO. “Sharing the taxi can be done in a very dynamic way: it can indeed be requested at any time, both during the order and during the ride itself. With this taxi pooling, we offer a cost-efficient and flexible mobility solution and we see less traffic in the city.”

The app features a very user friendly interface, which allows the customer to monitor the arrival of a taxi in real time and see who’s nearby and wants to share a taxi. Once the passenger has entered the desired destination into the app, he or she will immediately see a price. Which indicates how much the taxi fare is, as well as how much is saved when the drive is shared with a fellow passenger.

What is remarkable about Splyt is that passengers can choose at any time and at any location with whom they want to share the taxi exactly. Just for this reason it is connected to social media: the app shows which Facebook friends going the same direction and also communicate through reports to who is near and is interested to share a ride. Passengers also have the opportunity to share their journey on Facebook.

Splyt also allows for checking various criteria which the shared taxi must meet. For instance women can indicate they only want to share with other women. “That’s just what makes Splyt so unique,” adds Jean-Michel Courtoy. “Only Splyt allows passengers to choose with whom they want to share a taxi and how they want to experience that journey.” Splyt is now available for both iOS and Android.

UK-based Splyt comments: “Sometimes we can get into thinking that the price of a ride is just a fact of life. Well it’s not anymore. Splyt is a new way to travel, together. It is the first app that allows you to pick someone to pool with, share the taxi ride and save money. Users have the chance to create their own profile, order a licensed taxi direct from the app, switch to pooling mode mid-journey and even make recommendations about pooling buddies afterwards.”

“Splyt also allows local taxi companies from around the world to join forces and advantage of its innovative design. Now, companies have access to a robust, dependable group of users who are interested in a unique way to travel. Splyt has created the first ever global taxi alliance.”

What sets Splyt apart from other transport options? “Splyt is meant to be more than just an app to order a taxi on. It’s a community of users who get to choose how they travel and who with. Unlike other apps, Splyt has a list of helpful options to make sure that your journey is suitable, comfortable and great value for money. These include

• women-only rides (if you’d like to share your trip with someone nearby   who’s going in the same direction, but would rather you just shared your taxi with another woman then you can do so),

cashless payments and no surge pricing (not only do we only have one fare all the time that doesn’t surge, Splyt is also a safer alternative as it allows you to pay without cash), luggage choices (have luggage and want to make sure there’s room for it? No problem), profiles, ratings and friends (the biggest thing that sets Splyt apart are rider profiles. You can see who would like to ride with you and accept in real time, review riders and drivers, connect to your friends via Social Networks, favourite your journeys for easy future ordering and even view your ride history).”

“Easy ordering of classic rides: If you’re in a rush, Splyt also allows you an easy way to order a classic ride without any pooling.  www.splyt.be

• Radiocircuit Taxis Verts launches Splyt in Brussels.