Capital TRUST Holdings becomes the sole owner of ride-hailing app Taxiya

Taxiya, a leading ride-hailing service powered by an advanced digital mobile app, is now wholly owned and managed by Capital TRUST Holdings, having recently acquired the entirety of the brand Taxiyak (now Taxiya) and Capital TRUST Mobility Solutions. 

The Board of Directors of Capital Trust Mobility Solutions, comprising Chairman Tushan Wickramasinghe, Lakshman De Fonseka, Minoli Wickramasinghe, and Methmal Seneviratne, are confident that Taxiya will make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s transport and mobility space.  

Taxiya is poised to increase its market share in Sri Lanka’s organised taxi and ride services sector, through innovative campaigns that will begin shortly. Expanding the customer base through synergistic partnerships such as educational institutes, financial and IT services organisations and luxury apartment properties is all part of the roll-out. 

Commenting on the company’s growth potential, Capital TRUST Holdings Group Chairman/CEO Tushan Wickramasinghe said: “In a short span of time, Taxiya has been able to deliver a consistent service to our growing customer base in the Colombo District, and we are excited to take our operations to other districts in the coming months”.

“As a result of the seamless integration of Taxiya’s front and back end operations, drivers and passengers are happy with the accuracy and user-friendliness of the Taxiya app,” claimed CTMS Chief Operating Officer Rasika Vidanage. He also added that Taxiya is undoubtedly the most affordable transport solution currently available in Colombo, having added two-wheeler services to its range of transportation options. 

“We are selective about our drivers, who are mandatorily required to receive comprehensive training on good driving and vehicle maintenance, with an emphasis on good manners and professional etiquette in dealing with passengers,” said Vidanage. “This is to enhance the quality of customer experience and safety. 

Notably, the company is providing its drivers with opportunities to improve their livelihood through attractive financial incentives to build a mutually beneficial long-term relationship with its drivers. 

Taxiya also provides passengers with the option of choosing a driver they are familiar with through the ‘favourite driver’ option of the app. For instance, family trips can be planned out ahead of time on the app. Customer convenience and safety is of high importance for Taxiya; hence, the app also includes a unique facility to add family members to a single account for secure payment options.  The Automated Corporate Transport Booking System (ACTBS) will help companies organise employee transport, allocate transport budgets, and seamlessly book and despatch vehicles on demand.

Since its launch last month, Taxiya has seen its usage steadily increasing and has received encouraging response from satisfied drivers who are using the Taxiya App to obtain new hires. Feedback on the app’s feature for use as a free taxi meter for hail hires has also been positive.

Taxiya has the opportunity to tap into niche markets that are not limited to the corporate elite but also urban and city dwellers due to the diversification of Capital TRUST Holdings Limited, through its 33 subsidiaries. Entering the financial services industry as a Stock Broking firm in 1991, the CTH group has expanded into many areas of businesses today including property development, real estate solutions, education, margin trading, investment advisory, wealth management, IT, packaging and investments. 

Capital TRUST Holdings Limited received the “Asia’s Greatest Brands 2018” Award in the ‘Diversified’ category in the “Asia’s Greatest Brands & Leaders awards ceremony” held in Singapore in January 2019.