Cabvision

Hmmm. Not sure about this.

I had a 20 min cab ride the other day on my way to a meeting. In the back of the cab I noticed (couldn't fail to miss) this.

it's called Cabvision. Essentially it's a TV in the back of the cab. Obviously it's there to play ads, but this one had classic comedy clips and CNN latest news. I thought it looked interesting. I grabbed the remote, flicked through the channels and thought I'd watch the news, it was 8.30am and I'd been working all night in preparation for this meeting. But CNN wasn't doing it for me. So I thought I'd watch BBC comedy. Nope wasn't doing it for me. I tried the music channel. Nope wasn't doing it for me.

In the end I turned it off and went through my presentation one more time.

Which all leads to me thinking - what's the point? Who's going to watch it? It wasn't loud enough anyway. The news wasn't live it was recorded like you get on planes or on the Heathrow Express. Very annoying, surely they can do a live feed these days?

They have a similar thing to this in the US and that's shite as well.

On the Cabvision website it states "As an advertiser have you wondered how to efficiently target an ABC1, under 35, affluent audience in London?" Whoa, whoa, whoa sweet child of mine! Under 35?? Surely the majority of black cab users are over 35?

"Cabvision is a 'Total Taxi marketing solution'". What the fuck does that mean?

"allowing 1:1 communication with c1.4million young affluent consumers working full time and mobile". Hold on a minute. Black Cabs are expensive. Brilliant, but expensive. Mostly used by middle aged business men. Young? I don' think so.

Anyway, this is "Your Input Required" month. So what do you think?

Comments

[Steve]

If I get into a cab with Cabvision, I ask for it to be turned off, vision and sound, before the "safety warning", which I have already seen elsewhere. If this is refused (and it IS possible to switch Cabvision off whatever is said), I get out and seek another cab if I have the time. Otherwise I complain about it, and do not leave a tip. I am considering negotiating a fare reduction of 20% for cabs with Cabvision.

I have travelled with a Cabvision screen (sound off) while trying to plab for a meeting I am on my way to, and find the Cabvision intensely distracting.

[SDF]

I actually think Cabvision is great.
Feedback is brilliant and all stats are correct.
Firstly its great for the driver as when drunks get into the back of the cab they get happy watching the comedy channels rather than aggresive.
Secondly its great for people who are travelling with kids as it keeps them still and seated with their belts on.
Thirdly advertisers get to show their wares to a lot more people.
If the person who only watched the recorded programmes on CNN had bothered to use the remote properly he would have seen that live news is sent via teletext mode every 8 minutes.
The comedy channel is extremley popular so another one has been added at viewers requests.
As for the person who asks for a 20% discount all I can say is if you don't like it use Mr Livingstons fantastic Public Service System but don't forget your Oyster card it will give you that discount you obviously need.
Cabvision appeals to all people of all ages unfortunatly the people who most like to complain are those who are in the advertising sector WHY?
Because they missed the boat and didn't think of it themselves.
I could go on and on but Cabvision has nothing to be worried about the majority of people love it and its an advertisers dream.
As the old saying goes "You can't please all the people all the time." Ain't that the truth!
How do I know so much?
I liked it so much I BOUGHT THE COMPANY!!!!!!!!!

[steve]

Hi it cost me £400 a week to provide londoners ( and its visitors) with the finest taxi service in the world.Companies like cabvision help us to meet this huge financial burden placed upon us by what can only be described as parasites,so please dont blame poor old cabby for your expensive cab ride, because on a bad week as little as 10% of each fare actually ends up in their pockets.

[BOB]

I like it! Better than looking out the window at all those miserable faces and crap weather. Oh...and it does have volume controls, so if it's not loud enough you can turn it up...

[Daz]

It's the best thing since sliced bread! This is great stuff. Ideal on a saturday night out in town. Gets the nite off to a great start. Dunno why anyone would ever wanna moan about it.