Two Sydney entrepreneurs are locked in an escalating war with the NSW taxi industry over a revolutionary smartphone app that ensures passengers are never again left waiting for the cab that never turns up.

More than a quarter of a million taxi trips have been completed using the goCatch booking system, designed by Andrew Campbell and Ned Moorfield.

''We only exist because their service is so bad'': Ned Moorfield and Andrew Campbell of goCatch. Credit:Sahlan Hayes

The location-based technology connects customers directly with drivers, enables users to see the cab approaching on their phone and pay less by linking their credit card. It also rewards cab drivers for accepting short rides.

More than 150,000 people, and almost a quarter of all taxi drivers nationally, have downloaded the free app to their phones.