New rideshare app planned for P.E.I.

Samar Najarian doesn't drive a car heridea for a rideshare app came after spending a lot of time in, and waiting for, taxis.

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Over the last year and a half, the 31-year-old Charlottetown woman hasbeen travelling back and forth with herhusband to his cancer treatments at the QEH, and the couplewould sometimes have longwaits for cabs.

If she complies with the bylaws, she can do whatever she wants. Neil Harpham, Charlottetown Taxi Assoociation

"It's just more efficient. And everyone uses technology anyways these days," said Najarian.

Since March, she's been working on developing the new app, called FalconX, planningto launch it next month.

How it works

The concept is simple: the app is free to download, and both drivers and riders create accounts. It's like Uber, except it will be a licensed taxi service.

When a rider logs in, they can connect directly with a nearby driver. Users can also track when the driver is supposed to arrive.

Passengerscan pay with cash, debit, or credit, with the company keeping a percentage of the profit they haven't decided yet on the company's cut, saidNajarian.

Job flexibility

Najarian hopes the app isn't just convenient for passengersbut for drivers, whocan choose when they want to workoffering them job flexibility.

"With this job you can go online [and] offline. Say for example if you have to pick up your kids from daycare. You can go offline, go pick them up [and then go back online]," said Najarian.

Najarian has seven drivers signed up so far, and said she is looking for more.The app will serve all of P.E.I., so she plans to hire drivers from across the Island.

Competition? No problem

The Charlottetown Taxi Association welcomes a new taxi service in Charlottetown, said presidentNeilHarpham.

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"If she complies with the bylaws, she can do whatever she wants," said Harpham.

Najarian plans to followthe taxi bylaws, she said. FalconX will operate as a licensed taxi stand, which includes requirements such as following the mandated fare systems, marking the cars with decalsand hiring licensed taxi drivers.

Unlike taxis, however, you will not be able to hail a FalconX car from the street you must book through the app.

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