Singapore 18 April 2002 - CityCab launches the TeleCab in-cab mobile payment pilot project today, enabling commuters to pay for their taxi fares simply by using their mobile phones. Powered by TeleMoney Mobile Payments, the technology created by Systems@Work, this new service brings about great convenience to commuters as only a mobile phone is needed for a taxi ride.

Being the first of such mobile payment service implemented in Singapore and amongst the first in the world, the launch reaffirms Singapore's growing status as an ideal testbed and launchpad for wireless innovation.

Said Dr Kaizad Heerjee, IDA's Assistant Chief Executive for Online Development Group, who graced the launch, "I believe the launch of TeleCab will herald the introduction of many more innovative m-payment services in Singapore. As such services become widespread, consumers will begin to embrace m-payment as an easy-to-use and convenient alternative to pay for products and services. This also brings Singapore a step closer to becoming an e-inclusive society where everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of an e-lifestyle."

Starting from 18 April, a fleet of 300 CityCab taxis will provide the TeleCab service to about 1000 registered members. About 500 drivers have already been trained to operate the service. The pilot phase of the project is expected to last for two months. During this period, CityCab will monitor the progress and undertake the necessary steps needed for a successful eventual roll out to the rest of its fleet of 5000 taxis. Both commuters and drivers will also enjoy various promotional incentives such as monthly lucky draws, priority bookings and waiver of the 10% surcharge for the use of credit cards, etc during the pilot.

Said Mr John Lee, Chief Operating Officer of CityCab, "CityCab has always endeavored to leverage on the latest and most innovative technologies to improve the quality of service to our customers. The TeleCab service enables us to provide our customers with a convenient and hassle-free way of settling their fare payments whilst assuring security of transactions. It also benefits drivers as they do not need to handle excess cash thereby reducing physical risks linked to such exposures. The TeleCab service is part of CityCab's initiative to progressively upgrade CityCab drivers to become more aware of the benefits of technology and assist them to grow in tandem with advancement of the society towards the cashless and wireless frontier."

With TeleCab, commuters will be able to pay their taxi fares through their mobile phones using multiple methods, such as credit card, CityCab's Cabcharge card, direct debit to bank account, debit card and stored value. It is also designed to be user-friendly. Based on an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, the service guides users to enter simple information through an intuitive series of voice prompts. Commuters and drivers can also access their transaction records online, anytime anywhere.

How It Works To use the TeleCab service, customers simply need to do a one-time, free registration via www.telecab.com.sg or www.telemoneyworld.com to link their preferred payment methods to their personal mobile phones and select a Personal Identification Number (PIN). At the end of a taxi ride, the passenger simply needs to:
- Dial the designated TeleCab hotline number with his or her mobile phone
and upon a voice prompt, enters the driver ID shown on an in-cab display sign
- Key in the taxi fare amount
- Authorise the payment by keying in his or her PIN.

The request will be routed to the TeleMoney backend server that will generate a call to the driver's mobile phone to accept the amount. The passenger will hear the confirmation on his or her mobile phone once the process is completed.

TeleMoney
Systems@Work, a leading mobile payments service provider, is the developer and operator of TeleCab. The TeleCab service is based on Systems@Work's TeleMoney technology that enables the use of mobile phones as authentication devices to make convenient and secure payments supporting multiple payment choices.

Besides TeleCab, customers can use the same TeleMoney number and PIN to make payments via other applications supported by TeleMoney over multiple channels including Internet, mobile and proximity (over-the-counter), such as TelePay at Suntec City, online ordering for photo prints via FujiFilm's Print@Fujicolor or online payment of donations to the Rotary Club. For the complete list of shopping experiences accepting the TeleMoney Mobile Payments Solution, please log into www.telemoneyworld.com.

Said Mr Ng Fook Sun, CEO of Systems@Work, "Our TeleMoney technology provides a total, seamless mobile payment solution to CityCab, from registration of users and taxi drivers, to payment initiation, validation and authorization, to settlement, reconciliation and reporting. At the front end, the technology leverages on the pervasive tool of communication - the mobile phone - to present commuters and drivers with an easy-to-use service that brings them the desired convenience and mobility."

About Systems@Work
Systems@Work is a leading regional Universal Payments Facilitator offering pervasive, user-friendly services supported by a highly reliable and efficient infrastructure. It was incorporated in Singapore in 1999 with the vision to usher in a new era of secure and guaranteed e-commerce transactions to merchants and consumers.

The company's revolutionary product TeleMoney, is the only service available worldwide that provides consumers and businesses with a completely secure and convenient solution for online transactions using a GSM phone SIM card as the electronic I.D. to authorize online payments.

About CityCab
CityCab Pte Ltd is a member of the DelGro Group of Companies. It officially commenced business on 1 July 1995. CityCab currently has about 10,000 drivers operating a fleet of over 5,000 vehicles. This includes about 170 Presido taxis and 100 MaxiCabs using Mercedes Benz vehicles. It also operates the CityLink Direct Service.

CityCab has set new benchmarks for the taxi industry through its innovative products and services. These include being the first to introduce luxury taxi services, credit travelling and a computerised card payment system. It was also the first to launch a $20 million satellite-based computerised taxi despatch system known as CityNet.

In its journey towards achieving business excellence, CityCab was the first taxi operator in Singapore to receive the ISO 9002 certification in 1998. It also became a member of the prestigious Singapore Quality Class and attained the People Developer Standard Award by the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board in 1999. CityCab was also certified by the Customer Operations Performance Centre (COPC) Inc for its quality customer contact centre operations in 2000. In the same year, it launched Singapore's first Internet training platform for taxi drivers - COnSULT (CityCab Online - Skills Upgrading Through Lifelong Training) - to raise service standards of its drivers.

CityCab aims to be the preferred company providing personalised quality transport services to our customers worldwide.
 

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