James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor in Wellington has installed a camera system that hails taxis.
The hotel has set up a real-time camera link that enables cabs to be dispatched to the James Cook taxi rank as soon as it empties.
The camera relays all movement on the rank to Wellington Combined Taxis’ operations centre which monitors it around the clock. As soon as a taxi leaves, another one is dispatched to fill its place.
“Previously, it could be a real headache for hotel staff trying to get cabs quickly at check out time, or when everyone was trying to get to the rugby or when it was pouring with rain,” general manager John Primmer said. “Now, we know a taxi will always be waiting or on its way.”