Narrowcast Taxi TV UK - Taxi Trade
remote updated Narrowcast Digital Screen Networks in UK Taxis in Edinburgh, Glasgow & Liverpool offering Passenger Information, Advertising, Entertainment & CCTV Security.

CABTIVATE | THE DEAL | BENEFITS | TESTIMONIALS | INSTALLATION | FAQ

Cabtivate^® for Taxis

In May 2003 a pilot began with 30 taxis in Edinburgh, fitted with our revolutionary entertainment, information and advertising screen system. The purpose of the pilot was to develop a prototype system, test its reliability in live taxis and conduct some market research. These tests allowed us to identify any problems and resolve them before we committed to a full product launch. The new Cabtivate® system became available on 1st March 2005 and was installed into 200 taxis across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London. Taxi drivers were either buying the system or leasing it from leasing companies. Unfortunately in January 2007 the company experienced cashflow problems due to a banking error and was forced into liquidation. The intellectual property rights were bought by iMTV, a Russian media company who currently has a number of international digital signage networks. We have renamed the company, Cabtivate Networks Limited which is an excellent addition to our digital signage portfolio.

As the new owners we are committed to buying the systems back from the leasing companies so that taxi drivers who have not removed their systems, will no longer have any monthly payments to make. Drivers who bought the system will be made the same offer for their systems as the leasing companies.

Our intention is to install the system into thousands of taxis in the UK over the next 3 years, and we've got the funds to do it. So the main differance this time is there will be absolutley no financial risk to the drivers whatsoever. Cabtivate will supply all the equipment at no charge to the driver and we will also pay you the first 6 months in advance then the next 6 months in advance and so on!

The Deal

Firstly, it's a minimum 3 year contract but depending on how long you are keeping your taxi it could be a 4 year contract. We pay you £600 when the system is installed then the next £600 6 months later. We insure the system so it doesn't load your policy and we pay for installation.

In addition to the above you may also have the opportunity to have a livery on your taxi which will bring in another £1,000 per annum which is paid upfront when the livery is fitted. Cabtivate will only supply liveries to taxis with our TV system.

Income

Income - TV System	Income - Liveries	Total Income
Year 1 £1,200	£1,000	£2,200
Year 2 £1,200	£1,000	£2,200
Year 3 £1,200	£1,000	£2,200
Year 4 £1,200	£1,000	£2,200
	Total income over 4 years £8,800

Taxi Owner Benefits

• Free equipment
• Free insurance
• Free installation
• Additional income
• Entertained passengers
• Reduced costs
• Less downtime
• Keep drivers - lower rentals
• External advertising revenue
• Transferable system/contract

Testimonials

Below are a few testimonials from Taxi Owners who have the system installed in their vehicles

Murray Fleming – Central Radio Taxis

I was one of the first to have the system in my taxi; from a personal point of view I appreciate the additional income. As the system develops I believe it will be a genuine aid to visitors to the city giving them information relevant to their visit. In the main feedback from customers has been very positive although some have taken the opportunity to switch it off. In the future I see the technology that is being developed would allow me the potential or even pay me a commission for bookings made within the taxi for things like hotel rooms, restaurant tables or tickets etc.

 

George Aird – City Cabs

There are a number of benefits for the taxi owners for having the system in their taxi. The contract is for a minimum set period so you know how long you have the extra income for, not like liveries that end usually after a few months or a year and then you have to wait for another one. The door adverts are discreet, not like some of the bright livery adverts these days and it keeps the passengers amused for the journey, so no usual conversations about the weather or what time I started my shift!

Installation

Cabtivate^® for Taxi FAQ

What is Cabtivate^®?

Cabtivate® is a revolutionary new information, advertising and entertainment medium that displays content on screens fitted in the back of Licensed Black Taxis.

 

How does the system work?

Each taxi is fitted with a simple computer system attached to a 15? screen; we use Satellite technology to update the content on a regular basis from a central point of control.

 

How long will my taxi be off the road?

When you buy a new or used taxi from your dealership it will be fitted with the system before you take delivery of it. If your taxi had to come off the road then the install will take around 5 hours.

 

What do punters think about the system?

Independent market research conducted in December 2003 shows that

• 74% of passengers either agree or strongly agree that the system is an enjoyable addition to their journey
• 92% watched the screen for the whole or most of their journey
• 79% of passengers disagreed or disagreed strongly that the inclusion of a screen showing advertising was an irritating addition to their journey
• Only 8% found the system irritating, of that 8% a mere 1% turned the system off. It’s worth noting that during the survey the content on the screen was only adverts, with the new content (news, info on local events, short films – 2 minutes approx) coming on line from March we expect to see an improvement on these figures.

 

Will it distract me when I’m driving?

No. The screen faces the passengers, the driver cannot see what is displayed on the screen and there are no reflections from any windows at night time. Neither can the system be heard, whilst the cab is in motion.

 

Can punters control the system?

Yes, passengers must have control over the ambiance of the rear of the cab. Cabtivate offers them some control over the volume; they can also mute/de-mute the system and switch it on/off.

 

Can Punters turn volume up?

The volume has three levels; it starts off and defaults to the second level. Because the speakers are right behind the passengers head the volume has to be set pretty low. So they can still hear the system if you were driving at speed then they can turn it up to the third level but its preset so that you can?t hear it. So no discos in the back of the cab at the weekend.

 

Who insures the system?

We do, at no cost to you whatsoever.

 

Does the taxi have to be double shifted?

No.

 

What if the system breaks down?

Should the system fail then you would take it back to the installers and they will replace the relevant part. This should only take a few minutes as we have made the system basically 'plug and play'.

 

Can I have a livery on my taxi also?

Yes but it has to be booked through Cabtivate®. If we had a livery for you we would remove the Cabtivate® door adverts and put the livery on. At the end of the livery contract we would put the Cabtivate door adverts back on.

The reason for this is we need to avoid brand clashes; e.g. this can happen where we have Pepsi Cola advertising within the system and another taxi advertising company puts Irn-Bru on the outside. Because we can control the content in any individual taxi remotely, we can make sure this does not happen.

 

Does the product come with a CCTV system?

Yes it does. It comes as an upgrade which will have a monthly charge of around £10-£15 which will be deducted from the monthly fee. The CCTV addition to the system has to be approved by the local authority and will be fitted as a recall.

 

I'm a multiple cab owner, what kind of deal can I get if I decide to put the system into any number of my taxis?

Basically the deal remains the same as for an individual taxi operator. If a multiple owner has ten taxis he can multiply his income x 10. There are potential savings to be had on the leasing deal but they can only be secured on a deal by deal basis.

 

Can I keep the system when I change to a newer taxi or do owners just pass on the contract/system to someone else?

Owners can do both. If they were buying a new taxi they can have the system removed from the old taxi and re-installed (by an approved dealer) into their new taxi- this would be at their own expense though. (Costing £100 for removal and £210 for installation )

 

Can the system only go into the TX1 and TX11 models?

At the moment, yes. The system will go into any vehicle, even buses and trains; but we would have to make an engineering change for different types of vehicles and we would not plan to do so within the next 12 months.

 

When do my monthly payments start?

The first payment of £600 is made after installation then they continue every 6 months but always in advance.

 

I've got a livery on my taxi; can I still get the Cabtivate system?

It depends on when the livery period is up; if you have just got it then no, you won't qualify. If it's almost over then you could qualify, we would decide on a case by case basis.

 

Please e-mail: sales@cabtivate.com.