The National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel recently launched the mTaxi service in Galle in partnership with the Southern Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (SPRPTA).

mTaxi will use an umbrella hotline number - 0710  712 712 that will connect three-wheeler taxis to customers. The three-wheeler taxis that will operate under mTaxi are all authorized by the SPRPTA with an official license.

Launched in the Galle district, this facility will also soon be extended to the Matara and Hambantota districts – giving the entire Southern Province a single hotline for three-wheeler taxis.

“mTaxi is a reliable time-saver. It doesn’t require you to call several three-wheeler companies looking for a taxi. Just one call to the hotline and it will connect you with the closest available taxi park, providing you with a three-wheeler taxi. This system is beneficial to both the three wheeler operator and the passenger as well. Three-wheeler taxis are a popular mode of transport, and with the tourism boom, especially in the Southern Province – this kind of solution will be hugely beneficial to both parties. This solution like a number of others designed by us, are aimed at improving productivity and increasing efficiency – to ensure that the best service is extended to the public. Through the use of the latest technology, Mobitel is committed to continue to raise the bar, leading the industry towards making Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia’,” said Mr. Lalith De Silva, Chief Executive Officer, Mobitel.

Hon. Shan Wijayalal De Silva, Chief Minister, Southern Province – speaking at the launch event said, “I must congratulate both Mobitel and the SPRPTA for this initiative. It is developments such as this that we need in the country, to support the National Policy on Transport as outlined in the Mahinda Chinthana. If you look at the numbers, public transport services are used by about 90% of the population, while only 10% own private vehicles. By initiating the mTaxi service, this project not only contributes towards the government policy on equipping public transportation with ICT, but leads us towards making ICT the backbone of the country’s transport industry. It is indeed heartening to see corporates like Mobitel, taking the prerogative to contribute towards the country’s development. mTaxi is one step in the right direction – and I am sure it will be of immense contribution towards developing a modern transport service in the country.”

Mr. A. Samarasinghe, Chairman of SPRPTA said, “This mobile solution designed by Mobitel is extremely useful for our three-wheeler taxi owners and commuters as well. Commuters need to only remember one number. More importantly, this hotline will provide them with three-wheeler taxis that are registered with us. Customers can also be ensured of the security, considering that their mobile numbers will not be revealed at any point to the taxi driver.”

With solutions similar to the introduction of Mobile Taxi the National Mobile Service Provider continues to lead and inspire, creating new and innovative services in the industry. Being both the inspiration and catalyst of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka, Mobitel continues to work towards achieving the Government’s ICT goals – of making Sri Lanka the ICT hub in South Asia.

Photo caption: Hon. Shan Wijayalal De Silva, Chief Minister, Southern Province [extreme right] handing over the official documents to a three-wheeler taxi owner from the region while Mr. Prabath Gamage, General Manager - Product Dev. and Customer Solutions, Mobitel [extreme left] looks on.