The taxi industry hasn’t changed all that drastically since public hire vehicles first graced the roads back in the mid-19th century. It is still, in essence, about getting passengers to where they need to be safely and swiftly. And that will never change. But how the service is delivered certainly has.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been behind the wheel of a cab for decades, taxi drivers everywhere are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be eco-friendly. It’s impossible not to be conscious of the fact that this line of business isn’t a typically sustainable one and it’s true that countless trips in a car each day don’t do your carbon footprint any favours. Transport remains the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the UK, after all.
If you’re a passenger, using a taxi has become a much easier and cheaper proposition in the last few years. The emergence of online platforms like Uber have given us the convenience of knowing when your car will arrive and even where it is as you wait. The image of hailing a taxi and looking sad as several full ones speed by is now almost a thing of the past. Most of all, you have absolute certainty about the fare you’ll pay.
When it comes to assembling your taxi fleet, you need to think long and hard about what cars are best for the service that you aim to provide.
These are interesting times to be a taxi driver/owner. Whether you are an independent contractor working with a company like Uber, or plying your trade as a self-employed driver, there is a massive customer base out there.
You can’t talk about the taxi industry without mentioning Uber. The California-based company, founded in 2009, has challenged the industry in a way never before seen, squeezing current operators and leaving potential new entrants questioning whether or not they should try to compete.