- Ordering a taxi in Gipuzkoa can now be done via WhatsApp thanks to dTaxi, without installing any new apps.
- The service works in Donostia, Oarsoaldea, Bidasoaldea, Hernani and Astigarraga in the pilot phase
- The service is multilingual and offers taxi location, estimated arrival time, and approximate price.
- Gipuzkoa Taxi's initiative seeks greater immediacy, accessibility, and transparency in the service
Order a taxi in Gipuzkoa with a simple WhatsApp message It's now a reality. What recently sounded like an experimental project has been launched as a pilot program, bringing taxis closer to everyday communication habits.
Through a new tool called dTaxi, promoted by the provincial association Gipuzkoa TaxiUsers can request a vehicle from their mobile phone without downloading any additional application. Simply save a phone number or scan a QR code and start a conversation on WhatsApp for a taxi to come to the indicated pick-up point.
What is dTaxi and how does the system work via WhatsApp?
The dTaxi initiative is presented as a Taxi request platform integrated into WhatsAppDesigned to simplify access to the service, instead of requiring specific apps, management is handled within the messaging application itself, leveraging a tool that the vast majority of users already have installed.
To use the system, interested parties must Save the number 943 47 00 47 in your address book (also listed as 943 470047 in various communications) or scan the QR code displayed on participating vehicles. From that point on, the interaction proceeds like a regular WhatsApp conversation, guiding the user through the booking process.
The system is designed to be as straightforward as possible: the user sends a message indicating that they want a taxi, provides the necessary information —such as the pickup location— and the system manages the request. There is no need to register on an external app. nor complete complex forms, something that seeks to reduce barriers to use for all types of profiles.
In addition to the basic service request, the tool is prepared to offer useful information in real timeAmong other data, dTaxi allows you to know the approximate location of the assigned vehicle, the estimated arrival time at the pick-up point and an indicative price of the journey, providing more transparency from the outset.
Scope of the pilot test in Gipuzkoa
The dTaxi rollout is located in pilot phase within the territory of GipuzkoaThe tool is already operational in the capital, Donostia, as well as in the Oarsoaldea and Bidasoaldea regions, and is also being extended to municipalities such as Hernani and Astigarraga, which are integrated into the Radio Taxi Donosti fleet management system.
This first phase allows the system to be tested in areas with a intense daily mobility and varied user profiles, from residents to visitors and travelersThis facilitates the collection of different types of feedback. The association's aim is to closely observe the actual use of the tool before considering a gradual expansion to the rest of the Gipuzkoa region.
During this trial period, the Gipuzkoa Taxi association will pay special attention to aspects such as technical stability of the system, response time, clarity of WhatsApp conversations and the user satisfaction with the general experience of the service.
In parallel, an informative website has also been set up, accessible via the address dtaxi.eus, where the operation of the tool is explained, frequently asked questions are answered and another additional way to request a taxi in the territory is offered.
A service available in several languages and with more information for the user
One of the points that the association emphasizes is the multilingual supportTaxi requests through dTaxi can be made in Spanish, Basque, English or French, which is especially relevant in an area with a strong Basque language presence and a constant influx of national and international tourists.
This linguistic versatility aims to ensure that both the local population and visitors can clearly understand each step of the process, avoiding misunderstandings and making it easier for those who do not speak the majority language of the place they are in.
Beyond language, the system aims to bring greater transparency to the travel experience. Through WhatsApp conversations, users can check information in real time. Where is the taxi that will provide the service located?, how long it will take to reach the collection point and what the approximate cost of the journey will be.
This type of information, already common in other mobility services, is now being integrated into the traditional taxi service in Gipuzkoa without requiring additional registrations or providing data beyond what is necessary to provide the service, relying on a tool as widespread as WhatsApp.
Objective: to modernize taxis and adapt them to new habits
From the provincial association, its president, Goyo AliasHe emphasizes that the main objective of the project is to adapt the taxi service to the current forms of communicationAs explained in various statements, dTaxi aims to respond to a growing demand for immediacy, accessibility, and transparency in the sector.
The introduction of this tool is part of a broader process of digitization of taxis in GipuzkoaThe aim is to improve competitiveness compared to other modes of transport and to offer an experience closer to what citizens expect today when booking an urban or interurban journey.
The association itself points out that, with this pilot test, it is intended to verify whether the system really facilitates a more direct interaction between user and serviceThe fact that they rely on WhatsApp, an everyday application, represents a change of approach compared to specific taxi apps that require prior installation and, in many cases, registration.
Another aspect that will be analyzed is the extent to which the tool helps to optimize citizen servicesThis applies both to managing requests and communicating key travel information. The ability to centralize all message exchange on a single channel can simplify the work of professionals and, at the same time, make the experience smoother for the passenger.
Evaluation, opinions, and possible next steps
Being in the pilot phase, the project places special emphasis on gather user feedbackThe Gipuzkoa Taxi association wants to know firsthand if the tool meets expectations in terms of ease of use, clarity of information, and response times.
The feedback gathered through service usage and support channels will allow for adjustments to the system before wider implementation. The intention is for the final version to incorporate the improvements detected during the trial period, both from a technical point of view and in terms of user experience.
The website associated with the project also acts as a space where the characteristics of the service are detailed, frequently asked questions are answered, and another option for requesting a taxi is offered, reinforcing the importance of the digital presence of the Gipuzkoa taxi beyond the messaging channel.
With all this development, the taxi sector in Gipuzkoa seeks to consolidate its position in an increasingly digitalized mobility environment. The launch of dTaxi via WhatsApp represents a significant step in that direction, bringing the service closer to the public through tools that are already part of their technological routine and opening the door to a progressive evolution of the care model throughout the territory.
Thus, the possibility of ordering a taxi via WhatsApp in Gipuzkoa is emerging as an example of how a traditional service can rely on simple but well-integrated solutions to gain immediacy, transparency and accessibility, maintaining its essence and adapting at the same time to the way people communicate and move around today.
