Singapore – WeChat users in Singapore can now make Easy Taxi bookings via the messaging platform, as the two companies have formed a strategic partnership to push for greater usage of their respective apps.

The successful implementation of the service’s rollout in Singapore,  which is the current test bed, will see the two companies extending the scope of the partnership to other countries where both WeChat and Easy Taxi are present.

Jianggan Li, co-founder and managing director of Easy Taxi Singapore, told WIT, “Both taxis and smartphones enable people to be mobile. We are focusing on an integrated user experience that meets the needs and demands of today’s mobile generation. With this partnership, we make it easy for users to be on the go — they can book their ride while they go about their tasks and social life. We will further this integration with one-button cashless payment in a few weeks’ time.”

The move is aimed at providing Easy Taxi with access to more than 396 million users of WeChat once the implementation takes place across the entire WeChat platform.

The new feature is automatically available to new WeChat users. However, existing users (myself included), will have to follow Easy Taxi’s official WeChat account (WeChat ID: EasyTaxiSGP) to be able to use the taxi booking function.

We tested the app within WeChat, and found that currently the app allows for cab bookings on the go, based on the users current location. However, it would be great if it allowed for advance taxi bookings, for example to the airport on another day. Regardless, it is still a good start to the partnershop. Source: WIT