Now, passengers will have the flexibility to use either app to securely and conveniently pay cab fares using their smartphones in any one of the nearly 20,000 yellow and green taxis in New York City.  

Previously, the functionality of each app was limited only to taxis with one of the two payment technology systems. Passengers could only use RideLinQ® in taxis equipped with Creative Mobile Technologies’ in-vehicle payment technology while Way2ride® could only be used in taxis equipped with VeriFone’s in-vehicle payment technology.  With this collaboration, the functionality of both RideLinQ® and Way2ride® has become universal and each app will now work in any New York City taxi, signaling the taxi industry’s emerging commitment to embracing new technologies for a seamless and enhanced passenger experience.

“While convenience has always been synonymous with New York City’s iconic safe, comfortable and affordable taxis, it is now even more top of mind for today’s New York City taxi passengers. With this initiative, we heeded the call from our passengers by providing them with new payment tools to enhance the riding experience,” said Jason Poliner, Vice‐Chairman of Creative Mobile Technologies, LLC. “The universal functionality of both apps allows users – for the first time – total freedom to take any of the almost 20,000 taxis and Street Hail Liveries on New York City streets and know that they can pay quickly, confidently, and securely with one app.”

“We purposely built Way2ride on an open API cloud platform to allow developers to easily create apps with secure payment, messaging and other value-added services leveraging VeriFone’s secure mobile commerce network,” said Amos Tamam, senior vice president of Taxi Systems for VeriFone. “In many ways, this collaboration is a testament to the value of Way2ride’s open platform, which not only allows us to provide passengers with increased payment convenience, but also progress farther with our commerce enablement solutions and integration with other networks.”

RideLinQ® and Way2ride®, developed by the industry experts who brought credit card technology in taxicabs into everyday use, heralded a new era of convenience for taxi riders. Taxi passengers no longer have to fumble around for cards in a purse or pocket, can load multiple payment cards into their account for greater flexibility in payment, and can review their ride history with detailed cab and fare information right in the app, avoiding the need to keep track of paper receipts.

Drivers benefit, too, from speedy transactions that put them back on the road more efficiently, freeing up more time for additional rides each day. Both apps enhance driver safety, as well. RideLinQ® and Way2ride® each work with the existing in-vehicle equipment, minimizing driver distractions such as separate phones or driver apps.

The cross-functionality of RideLinQ® and Way2Ride is also going national. CMT and VeriFone provide taxi payment solutions in thousands of taxis across the U.S. and plan to implement universal functionality for both apps in cities across the country.