myTaxi Payments via Wirecard: Using Smartphones to Pay for Taxis
19 Jul, 2012, 09:38 BST
MUNICH, Germany, July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
- The market leader for taxi apps has launched its first mobile payment system for the German market
Wirecard AG and myTaxi are linking mobile payment transactions with the point of sale. With immediate effect, myTaxi passengers can use the mobile myTaxi app to not only order a taxi, but also use the app to pay for their trip. The payment module was launched in Germany in July 2012. The product will be launched internationally step by step in the second half of 2012 in various European cities.
"myTaxi Payment sets new standards which will once again revolutionize the taxi market. We have found a highly competent partner - Wirecard - to support our new product," commented Niclaus Mewes, myTaxi's co-founder and CEO.
The idea behind myTaxi is to create a direct link between the taxi driver and the passenger - individual, transparent and simple. The smartphone localizes the passenger and connects him to an available myTaxi. Within seconds the passenger can see which taxis close by are free, and can order a taxi simply with just a click. The myTaxi app is currently available in 30 German cities, Barcelona, Vienna and Zurich. The USA and other European cities are to follow.
In order to use myTaxi, customers download the myTaxi app to their smartphone free of charge, and as an option they can register their payment data in the app. In so doing, the credit card data is securely transferred via the Wirecard Payment Page, and saved in a PCI conform manner using the Wirecard Tokenization Service. If the customer has stored their payment data with Wirecard, when their taxi ride is over they just have to confirm the fare using their myTaxi PIN to make payment.
Brigitte Häuser-Axtner, Vice President Digital Sales with Wirecard commented: "Wallets have a mobile future. We are very pleased that we have been able to implement an innovative solution for myTaxi, allowing passengers to pay even more comfortably, cash-free.
Since it was formed in July 2010, myTaxi has been downloaded more than 1.7 million times with 15,000 registered taxis. The business model has also convinced investors, including T-Venture, a Deutsche Telekom company, and the Daimler subsidiary Car2Go, which participates in intelligent apps.
About myTaxi:
myTaxi is an Intelligent Apps GmbH product and was born in June 2009 by the two founders Sven Külper and Niclaus Mewes. The Hamburg-based start-up is a pioneer and market leader, with 80 employees in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. The app to order taxis allows a direct link between the taxi driver and the passenger. myTaxi is individual, transparent and simple. The app has been downloaded more than 1.7 million times and is available in 30 cities with 15,000 connected taxis. Investors include T-Venture Holding GmbH, car2go GmbH (Daimler AG), the KfW banking group, e42 GmbH and Lars Hinrichs (Cinco Capital GmbH). Further information can be found online at: http://www.mytaxi.net/en/home
About Wirecard:
Wirecard AG is one of the leading international providers of electronic payment and risk management solutions. Worldwide, the Wirecard Group supports over 13,000 companies from a wide range of industry segments in automating their payment processes and minimizing cases of default Wirecard Bank AG is a Principal Member of Visa, MasterCard and JCB and operates as a credit card acquirer in 69 countries around the world, involving over 100 transaction currencies and 18 payout currencies. Part of the Wirecard Group, Wirecard Bank provides innovative solutions in the fields of corporate banking, prepaid and co-branded cards, along with account products for both business and private customers.
Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060, WDI).
Wirecard media contact:
Wirecard AG
Maren Brandt
Einsteinring 35
D-85609 Aschheim
Tel: +49(0)89-4424-1425
Fax: +49(0)89-4424-2425
E-mail: maren.brandt@wirecard.com
Internet: http://www.wirecard.com
myTaxi media contact:
myTaxi
Lina Wüller
Große Elbstrasse 273
D-22767 Hamburg
Tel: +49(0)175-266-9125
E-Mail: l.wueller@mytaxi.net
Internet: http://www.mytaxi.net/en/home
SOURCE Wirecard AG