Amos Tamam caps three decades of innovation in the
taxi industry
When Amos Tamam arrived in the United States in the early
1980’s he was looking for opportunity. He had trained
as an electrical engineer at Tel Aviv University in Israel
but when he arrived in the United States it was a fresh start.
Soon after arriving, Amos began servicing taxicabs in a fleet
garage in New York City. Now 30 years later, Amos Tamam is
still in the taxi industry but he is now the CEO of Verifone
Transportation Systems, Inc., a division of the giant Verifone
Corporation and the industry leader in providing the technology
and systems that enable taxi fleets to accept credit card
payments.
The reason for Amos Tamam’s success is a combination
of technical ingenuity and an uncanny ability to develop the
products and processes to solve problems for taxi fleet owners.
Amos Tamam first repaired taxis, then worked on taxi meters
and systems to improve fleet management and fuel management
for fleet owners. His latest innovation was the most sweeping
of all – providing fleet owners with the ability to
process credit cards using wireless technology.
This is a major development. Cab riders in New York City and
Philadelphia can now pay for their ride with a credit card.
In addition to the convenience, this innovation means that
cab drivers won’t be carrying as much cash, which means
they are less likely to be robbed. Soon fleet owners all across
the United States will be able to offer the same service.
The reality of wireless payment for taxicabs is a reality
but it began with the vision, talent and expertise of Amos
Tamam. The company he started to develop this technology was
called Taxitonic, Inc.
Mr.Tamam has been working on technology to help the taxi industry
for many years. In 1992, he headed the development team to
create the first credit card taxi meter. This product was
launched under a pilot project sponsored by New York City
and American Express. The objective of the project was to
reduce crime against taxi drivers by enabling customers to
pay with a card. It was Amos Tamam’s company that developed
the prototype.
By 1997, Amos Tamam led the development of a high tech device
that combines voice reminder, emergency light, pulse divider,
roof light, signal lights, relay and taximeter connection
on a single circuit board. A year later, Mr. Tamam was playing
a leading role in the development and distribution of the
Taxitronic (TX36), considered to be the most advanced taximeter
in the world.
In 2004 Mr. Tamam reached an ISO agreement with IRM Payment
Systems and signed a VAR agreement with AT&T. Then together
with TLC, American Express, Visa and MasterCard, Mr. Tamam
launched the pilot program, which was the forerunner of the
systems currently being used in New York City and Philadelphia.
In 2005, Amos Tamam concentrated development and marketing
efforts by creating Verifone Transportation System, Inc, as
a joint venture between Taxitronic, Inc. and Verifone Holdings,
Inc. Since incorporation, Verifone Transportation Systems
has been awarded the well-publicized contracts for taxi payment
and automation in New York City and Philadelphia.
Mr. Tamam is currently in discussions to bring his innovations
to the taxi riding public in many other American cities.
To learn more about Amos Tamam and Verifone Transportation
Systems please click
here.
|
