As rideshare apps set the precedent for the future of the transportation industry, the traditional taxi world is getting a modern makeover of its own.
With Arro, hailing a cab is just as convenient as requesting an Uber.
Uber has dominated the rideshare vs. taxi competition for nearly a decade, but thanks to the recent emergence of taxi apps, taxi drivers are putting their feet back in the door.
Around the world, platforms like Arro are modernizing the taxi-hailing process and giving the taxi industry a fighting chance.
If you’re interested in catching a ride with professional drivers without dealing with surge pricing, keep reading to learn how Arro works and how you can sign up today.
We’ll also give licensed taxi drivers an overview of how to start earning more with Arro.
What Is Arro?
Arro is a free taxi app that helps you hail a cab and pay for your ride straight from your Android or iPhone.
The app connects users to convenient taxi rides from fully licensed cabbies, each of whom has completed a background check, extensive training, and all local regulations for taxi drivers.
The taxi-hailing service is currently available in the following cities in the United Kingdom and the United States:
- Boston
- Chicago
- Houston
- London
- Miami
- New York City
- San Francisco
How Does Arro Work?
Arro offers two primary services to make taxi rides as convenient as possible: one for when you’re seeking a taxi ride, and one for when you’re already in a taxi.
In this section, we’ll break down exactly how these services can help you out.
E-Hail
If you’re in need of a taxi ride, you can request one in the matter of seconds using what Arro calls its “E-Hail” service.
This service functions almost exactly like Uber, allowing you to catch a ride with the nearest available driver just by entering your pick-up and drop-off locations and tapping “Request Ride.”
You’ll be able to review your fare estimate and get an ETA before your hit the request button.
Arro offers standard four-passenger cabs on demand in all cities, but some locations may additionally offer for an extra cost:
- Wheelchair-accessible taxis
- Taxi vans
- Scheduled bookings, up to 48 hours in advance
E-Pay
Arro’s other primary service, E-Pay, allows you to pay for your ride with your smartphone after you’ve already hailed a cab off the street.
All you need to do is:
- Select “I’m Already in a Taxi” in your app.
- If you’re in the U.S., look for your vehicle’s Pairing Code, located on the taxi TV screen at the back of the cab. If you’re in the U.K., simply ask your driver for their Check-In Code.
- Enter the 7-digit check-in number in your app.
At the end of your trip, the payment method you have saved in your Arro app will automatically be charged — no further action needed.
A receipt will be sent straight to your email.
Because Arro works directly with city regulators to launch its service, E-Pay works with almost all yellow and green cabs in its United States markets, as well as all black cabs in London.
If you want to be sure before you hail your taxi, you can look at the live map on your app’s homepage to find nearby Arro-connected vehicles.
Arro Pricing Structure
One of the biggest draws of using Arro is the fact that your fares will never increase based on supply or demand.
Instead, you’ll always be charged at the same metered rate that’s set by your city regulations.
On the other hand, if you request an Uber, you could be stuck paying as much as eight times your normal fares (or more) during busy events, rush hour, or in low-supply areas due to surge pricing.
However, Arro does charge additional fees that you may not experience if you hail a cab the traditional way:
- Service fee: A flat $2 fee for all E-Hail bookings.
- Reservation fee: An extra fee of up to $3 for all scheduled (not on-demand) bookings.
- Cancellation fee: A fee of $2 or £2 that kicks in if you cancel your trip more than 90 seconds after getting matched with a driver.
- No-show fee: A fee of $5 or £5 that kicks in if you don’t arrive at your pick-up location within Arro’s given five-minute waiting period.
- Toll fees: You’ll be charged on the app for any tolls encountered during your trip.
You’ll always get a fare estimate ahead of your trip, including fees, so you won’t be surprised by the final cost.
How to Sign Up for Arro
When you’re ready to sign up for Arro, all you need to do is complete a few simple steps:
- Download the Arro app from the App Store or Google Play store.
- Open the app and tap “Register” on the bottom right corner of your screen.
- Select “Sign Up With Facebook” or “Sign Up With Email” — whichever you’d prefer. If you are already an Arro driver, you’ll also have the option to sign up as a passenger using your Arro Driver account.
- If you’re signing up with Facebook, tap the “Continue as (First Name)” button to connect your Facebook account. You may be prompted to log in first if you’re not already logged in to the Facebook app on your smartphone.
- If you’re signing up with your email, enter your first name, last name, email, and preferred password. Then, tap “Next.”
- Enter your phone number, then tap “Next.”
- Once you receive a verification number from Arro via text, enter it on your app screen.
- Add your payment information. You can enter your credit card information or connect your Mastercard or Visa Checkout account.
- Accept Arro’s privacy policy, as well as its terms and conditions.
- If you’d like to receive emails from Arro, tap “Yes” on the next screen. If not, select “No.”
Once you’ve completed these steps, you will be directed to the app’s home screen and be all set to request a ride.
Driving for Arro
If you’re interested in earning more as a taxi driver, signing up for Arro can help you land more requests.
To qualify to drive, you must:
- Be fully licensed to drive a taxi in your city
- Drive a taxi with a CMT payment system or Mobile Knowledge dispatch system installed
- Have a CMTPay Card to receive your automatic payments
As long as you meet these requirements, you can start receiving requests just by completing a simple registration process on the Arro Driver app.
If you don’t already have a CMTPay Card, you can sign up for one during this registration process, but you’ll have to wait until the card arrives before you can start receiving requests.
Driving for Arro is a great way to connect with thousands of active passengers who are looking for modern transportation solutions.
The company also helps connect you to free driver resources, training, and 24/7 support.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve never considered hailing a taxi, Arro may change your mind.
Our answers to these frequently asked questions can tell you more about the service that’s transforming the taxi industry:
What do I do if I was mistakenly charged a no-show or cancellation fee?
If you experience this issue, you can easily contact Arro through the app by selecting “Settings” from your menu and tapping “Contact Arro Support Team.”
You can also email Arro directly at [email protected].
What’s the difference between a yellow cab and a green cab?
This distinction is mainly used in NYC to signify the areas that each type of taxi serves.
The color of your taxi does not affect the price of your Arro ride.
Do I need to tip my taxi driver if I’m paying through Arro?
While it’s not a requirement, it is customary to tip taxi drivers in both London and the United States.
In the United States, a tip of 15% is expected, though more is suggested for stellar service (for example, if your driver helps with your luggage).
In London, an average tip is between 10% and 15%.
The Arro app actually makes tipping incredibly easy with its option to add a default tip.
To set your default, select the “Payment” tab from your app menu and tap the “Default Tip” section.
Then, select your default tip percentage and tap “Done.”
You can change your tip for a trip anytime before your trip ends.
Hail a Taxi With Ease
Arro is a taxi app that’s making it easier for riders to hail a cab and for drivers to make a living.
It serves as an excellent alternative to Uber, whether you want to avoid surge pricing, find a professional driver, or simply support taxi drivers in your city.
Of course, Arro isn’t the only taxi-hailing app that’s making a difference internationally.
If you’re interested in another service that’s making cab rides more convenient than ever, read our guide to MyTaxi, the world’s first taxi app.
