We continue the series with a 8th episode. We stay in the transportation industry today, a very dynamic vertical in the startup industry.
Today's pick is called WINGZ
WINGZ is (yet) another alternative to Uber, Lyft and so on.
But their value proposition is different, opening ways to different uses: With Wingz, let's say that you select more a DRIVER than a destination.
HOW DOES IT WORK ?
As EVERY transportation service today, there is an app (and a website).
It's a very simple 3 steps process: BOOK, CONFIRM (pay), LINK.
You basically say where you want to go and give a date. This is the main difference between Wingz and Uber for instance. Uber is on-demand transportation, while Wingz is specialized in reservations.
Basically, Uber is adapted for your city-last-minute needs: It's a ride-hailing solution. Wingz is adapted when you have planned trips:
- going to a meeting, a concert or a conference
- taking a plane, taking a train...
Therefore, when you book, you have first to select your destination, and then the DATE you will leave.
It's ultra simple: Pickup Location - Destination - Pickup date and time.
Then, Wingz will allocate you a driver. There is nothing new at this stage vs. Lyft or Uber but this driver allocation has a tremendous importance in the Wingz service.
You will also see the price in advance, so you can decide if you want to confirm OR NOT the trip.
Some very useful features allow you to precise how many people will be riding with you, if you have luggage, if you need a wheelchair compatible car or even a car-seat.
All these options you can put in the comments make the difference vs a standard taxi or a ride-hailing service.
You can now contact your driver, in order to precise extra information (Airport terminal, need for a car-seat...)
The day arrives, your driver is here, generally 15 min in advance. And you are good to go.
MY EXPERIENCE:
I needed a ride to go to SFO Airport. I checked some taxi services, and I also check Uber: None was simple and clear, and none had an easy booking system, nor the aforementioned features to ask for a car-seat.
Yes, I was not going alone in a business trip: the whole family, including my 2-years-old son, was going to France.
We needed:
- a car seat
- a big van for our crazy amount of luggage
- a ride booked in advance to make sure we would catch the plane
Uber was a no-go. You don't know what car you will get, it's a last minute booking and in the middle of California suburbia at 6am in the morning, the service is not very strong, meaning we could start the day stressed because no driver would accept our ride-demand.
Using Wingz was a bliss. I launched the app, entered the details of the trip, and I immediately saw the price: $80. Cheaper than a cab, more flexible than Uber.
I had booked 1 week in advance, and 10 minutes after I precised the details of the journey (origin/destination + date/time) and validated the ride, I was in contact with a driver.
In the reservation, I asked for a "BABY CAR SEAT". And I realized 1 day after that the driver may come with a baby's bassinet, not an actual car-seat.
I just sent him a text message, precising that my son was 2.5 years old. Done. He confirmed back and made sure I would have the right car seat. No need to go back in the app, just simple text messages.
The day of the departure, Frank, the driver arrived 20 min in advance, and helped me load the car.
The car was a brand new minivan, very clean. We made it to the airport without any issue. Well in advance for the security check-in.
For the record, I discussed a lot with the driver on the way to the airport, even about Steemit. The guy is actually a writer and a part-time driver. I gave him 5 stars for this ride.
3 weeks after, we had to go back home. I used the app again to book a ride for the way back home from the airport.
This second time I was asked to precise my favorite driver: Frank.
Clicking on his profile I could see a small bio and a photo of his car. It makes it immediately a very personal experience.
The 1st driver was very professional, and we really had a good discussion last time. On top of that, I was certain he had a car seat adapted for my kid, so I chose him again.
The plane arrived 30 min late (as usual), so I immediately wanted to text Frank to make sure he would not cancel the ride.
But I saw that he already had texted me:
Send me a txt when you passed the customs. Frank.
I confirmed and apologized for the late plane, but he quickly explained me that he was tracking the plane online. No worries at all for him and no worries for me: He was waiting for us.
On top of that Frank had experience and knew it could take hours to exit an airport. Passing the customs was the key indicator for my ETA. We finally made it out, and met at the DEPARTURES (no on-demand pick-up at airports arrivals) of the airport. Frank was here, with the same car and a car-seat for my kid. PER-FECT.
It was also very cool to see him again and we discussed a bit about France, Portugal and Spain (He has Spanish family). Being able to get the same driver was really a good experience and a unique point for Wingz.
In the end Wingz is more a Personal Chauffeur solution that a ride-hailing service.
BOTTOM LINE:
Being able to choose your favorite driver makes it a fantastic experience. You know who you are dealing with, there is this relationship that creates between you and the driver. It's a game changer.
Contrary to Uber, Wingz's service is perfectly adapted for people with disabilities, old poeple, or even kids. If you plan a trip and want to travel without stress, with people you trust, Wingz is THE solution.
I learnt that Wingz was working on a "book on behalf of" feature. In the future, you could be able to book a Wingz driver for your grandma. The driver will make sure she will come to meet you safely. On top of that, I am sure that your grandma will be happy to see that same driver all the time.
Wingz is the best solution for the airport rides, and can be so much more when you need specific transportation.
Definitely another app to keep on you phone.
Download the app HERE .
I hope that you enjoyed and that you will try this cool app. If you did enjoy the reading, stay tunes to my account for more "101 startups" stories in the future.
Footnotes:
I work with startups. My job is to find innovative hidden-gems in the tech industry.
In the series of 101 Startups, I give you an overview of the best startups and apps I encounter, and I hope you will discover, and use these new services and innovative products.
- Episode 1 - VESTLY, monthly stock trading contests for real cash prizes.
- Episode 2 - LUXE VALET, on demand car-valet services cheaper than parking garages.
- Episode 3 - JUNO, an alternative to Uber and Lyft in NYC. 25% cheaper.
- Episode 4 - MIND SUMO, take companies challenges and earn real money.
- Episode 5 - X.AI, artificial intelligence is your new personal assistant
- Episode 6 - SPOT ANGELS, know where to park, all the time.
- Episode 7 - RIDE WITH VIA, ride-hailing services for just $5.
If you enjoy this reading and want to see more of these startups in the future, please FOLLOW ME.
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