Wi-Fi now in Taxis?

Taxi operators have hit out at plans for a £50 administration fee for every cab fitted with Wi-Fi.

According to the Edinburgh News, Internet access in taxis across Edinburgh via Wi-Fi hotspots would be free to all passengers, with installation and service charges to be paid by sponsors under the move backed by city council licensing chiefs.

However, the local authority still intends to ask drivers to fill out an application to have the equipment fitted – and charge a £50 levy for each vehicle in the process.

The fee could net the council as much as almost £66,000 if all 1316 of the city’s licensed cabs and private hire vehicles commit to the plan.

That’s a nice earner for the council but for the smaller taxi firms, it could be the difference between offering the Wi-Fi or not. And who would miss out, the consumer.

If you’re in a taxi you’re a captive audience, you can’t go anywhere, the traffic dictates your journey time and until you reach your destination, you’re a sitting duck. But, if you can tap into the free Wi-Fi, you’re free to work, connect and even shop. Therefore utilising your journey time, effectively.

Yes, the user could use their own data but with nearly every store, train, bus and plane offering free Wi-Fi, why should or would you?

We are a connected nation, we work harder and longer than our European counterparts and we survive on the Internet. Yes, sitting in a taxi with no Wi-Fi for some is hugely appealing, that precious downtime, those few stolen moments of peace, maybe even banter or a chat with the driver. But, who really has the time? In the half hour journey that presentation could be completed and sent, the kids presents ordered and the weekly shop, done. But without the use of free Wi-Fi, your data quickly gets eaten up, can often dip in and out and as for the speed, you might as well wait until you’re back in the office for the page to eventually load.

And who will end up paying the fee for the box? Customers, the added bonus of the free Wi-Fi will ultimately up the fares making taxi travel even more expensive than it already is.

It might seem a minor thing, but when we are so used to being able to connect almost anywhere, too find a location where we can’t is surprising, frustrating and can even deter us from the coffee shop, store or vehicle.

Don’t stop the wireless revolution!