Book Close
Book
Close Close
I'd like to book a
Join QT Club
Back

Taxi Fabric

By Kobi Facto

Cabbies across Australia (and the globe) have been shaking their fists in disgust ever since the controversial ride-sharing app Uber landed on our golden shores in November 2012.

While the Taxi vs. UBER debate has soured over the years, the whole saga has at least provided us with a valuable lesson in customer service and innovation.

We all have those crazy cab stories…smelly decaying cars, lunatic drivers, unreasonable charges, long waiting times and perhaps worst of all, the cabs that refuse to drive you because you aren’t going to the airport (Melbourne cabbies – we’re looking at you).

Of course, there are some shining stars in the Taxi world but generally speaking, you’d have to admit that taxis have been treating their customers like cash cows. Slugging us with unreasonable fees for an inferior service. The employment of over-worked drivers has more often than not delivered a customer experience akin to a Vodafone technical support centre. In fact, I am sure I have heard taxi drivers making sales calls while driving?

I liken Taxi companies to pure print publications in that they have both failed to advance with the times and are now paying the price of stiff, sophisticated, digital competition.

In the Cabbies defence, some efforts have since been made to improve the overall Taxi journey in Australia. However, we think Mumbai holds the answer to really spicing things up!

Mumbai you ask? Ok, stay with me here…

Mumbai’s taxis have been given a vibrant makeover thanks to Taxi Fabric, a design scheme that has seen young Indians produce new interiors ranging from colourful patterns to mock-classical art.

Taxis in India, particularly in Mumbai, are not only the most convenient form of transport but have also become an iconic piece of culture. Being such a fiercely competitive industry, Taxi Drivers in India are said to give their vehicles much attention to make them stand out from their competitors.

The Taxi Fabric project takes this attention to detail to the next level. Local artists are paired with Drivers to customise the design of their Taxi artwork, providing brilliant exposure for emerging artists to a mainstream audience as well as a much-needed aesthetic advantage.

Imagine if Gold Coast Cabs did this? A win for local artists to showcase their works, an Instagram-worthy ride for local commuters and hey presto – one happy Cabbie because you’re back onboard! Now that’s shaking things up!

Check out the inspiring Taxi Fabric project for yourself at HERE.


QT Social

Feeling a little social? Follow QT Follow QT
Powered by PGR

We hate to play favourites, but some of our guests are lavished with even more special attention than usual. Want to know what you’re missing out on?

Join The QT Club right now – we’ll keep it just between us.

Enter your details