City of Toronto grants first-ever taxi license to app-based taxi company

Hailo Network Canada Inc. the first app-based taxi company to get licensed status in Canada

TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Hailo Network Canada Inc. today became the first app-based taxi company in Canada to receive official city licensing with the announcement that the City of Toronto has granted the company a license to operate.

Hailo is a new Toronto taxi app promising a better taxi experience for passengers and riders. With Hailo, Torontonians can book and pay for a taxi with two taps on the screen of their smartphone and pay the same rate as a regular taxi ride. Originally launched in London, Hailo will official debut in Toronto later this year.

"The taxi industry in Toronto is broken," says Hailo Canada President Justin Raymond. "The system is unfair to drivers and cumbersome for passengers. But technology can drive the change the industry needs, and we're thrilled to see the city recognize this fact with today's announcement."

The announcement comes as the city is conducting a review of the Toronto taxi industry and its viability. The 2012 Taxicab Industry Review is expected to wrap up in December.

Hailo is the largest app-based taxi booking service in the world. The app has been downloaded more than 300,000 times by consumers and has more than 2,000 five star reviews on the iTunes App store.

"Hailo has revolutionized the taxi marketplaces in London and Dublin," says Raymond. "We can't wait to do the same in Toronto."

SOURCE: Hailo Network Canada

Lisa Pasquin
Veritas Communications
[email protected] / 416-671-2369