D’Ieteren’s Poppy adds taxi services with 800 ‘certified drivers’

Seven years after starting its car-sharing service under the wings of D’Ieteren Automotive Lab Box, Poppy Mobility is adding taxi services in Brussels with 800 ‘top-rated’ drivers from another D’Ieteren daughter, TaxiVerts.

In a press release, Poppy says that it will “source the highest-rated drivers, who will be vetted through a double screening process. Drivers must first pass TaxiVerts’ rigorous selection process, which includes verifying a certificate of competence, a Belgian ID or residence card, and a valid driver’s license.

800 drivers selected

In addition, the drivers will have to pass a medical examination, participate in the TaxiVerts training program, and succeed in a language proficiency test. “We selected 800 drivers with a 4.5/5 minimum rating,” says Pierre de Schaetzen, Poppy’s CMO. “Together with TaxiVerts, we incentivize drivers to set new standards for safety and reliability in the taxi industry.”

“Our ambition is to offer a complete alternative to private cars in urban areas,” Pierre de Schaetzen adds. “By combining the flexibility of shared cars with the convenience of taxis, we aim to reduce the need for car ownership in our cities.”

Poppy intends to roll out the service gradually, starting in Brussels, the hometown of TaxiVerts, which D’Ieteren Automotive took over in March 2022. At that time, it employed 40 people directly and engaged approximately 1,000 taxi drivers in 600 vehicles. Forty of them were electrified at that time, as only around 7 to 8% of the taxi fleet in Brussels was.

Going fully electric

Now, it claims the most extensive taxi fleet in the Belgian capital and explicitly offers ‘Electric Rides’ for a ‘silent and environmentally friendly’ ride. However, all taxis should be electric very soon as the taxi sector in Brussels is forced to be electric by 2025.

That is if the new Brussels government, which is to be formed, decides to keep the timing as the negotiating partners are already fighting over the question whether the stricter LEZ zone can be postponed by two years or not.

TaxiVerts started a pilot project in September 2022 with Colruyt’s daughter Virya Energy, using a Toyota Mirai as a hydrogen taxi to see if this type of drivetrain is a suitable option as it has the advantage of quicker refueling and, therefore, more uptime.

On the other hand, TaxiVerts wanted to give independent taxi drivers discounted access to D’Ieteren’s VW Group electric models, with charging services provided by EDI (Electric by D’Ieteren) to accelerate the electrification of its taxi members.

Gaining sufficient experience first

TaxiVerts drivers in Brussels will start receiving requests from Poppy clients using the app “once they have gained sufficient experience and achieved a high enough customer rating.” To continue serving Poppy clients,” they must maintain this rating and will be evaluated on punctuality and cancellation rates.”

Poppy says the taxi ride prices will be in line with the competition and plans to expand its services to other Belgian cities starting next year. Authorized taxis will feature a “Poppy Certified Taxi” label on the rear passenger door. Customers will also have access to a 24/7 support line for assistance.