TranAir Revolutionizes Taxi Digital Dispatch

December 1st, 2004

Future Quest Wireless and TranWare, Inc. released North America's first taxi dispatch system today capable of providing fully automatic trip assignment and vehicle tracking, using off the shelf, low-cost cellular handsets. TranAir®, brings automated digital-dispatch within reach of even a diminutive 10 vehicle taxi operation, yet can accommodate companies with several hundred vehicles.

Until now, only taxi companies with deep pockets, large fleets and substantial private radio spectrum could reap the benefits of automatic dispatch technology. TranAir® uses a revolutionary approach by leveraging the modern high speed packet data technology recently released by cellular network operators and the subsidized cellular handsets they offer. Specifically, TranAir® works with the rugged and versatile Motorola handsets offered on iDEN networks, such as Nextel, Southern Linc and Telus Mobility.

TranAir®was jointly developed by Future Quest and TranWare, Inc., representing a collaboration of TranWare's transportation dispatch expertise and the wireless data expertise of Future Quest.

The first TranAir® system will be deployed at Whistler Resort Cabs, a 15 vehicle taxi company focused on passenger transportation in the town of Whistler, BC, home to the largest ski resort in North America. Outlining his reasons for choosing TranAir®, Whistler Resort Cabs owner Jack Crompton stated, "We recognize that while average trip length will be short due to the relatively small area we are serving, we expect to make up for it with significant trip volume. In choosing a dispatch system, we anticipated that in order to keep operating costs within reason, a fully automatic dispatch system would be necessary. Future Quest was able to work with TranWare to develop a unique approach to using Telus Mike® phones, which not only solved our coverage issues, but brought down the high costs normally associated with an automatic mobile data dispatch system."

Future Quest is an authorized systems integrator and distributor of TranWare's leading suite of Enterprise transportation management systems in Canada, as well as the United States. In addition, the company provides turnkey vehicle tracking systems to customers throughout North America.

For more information about the TranAir, click here.