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Starting out in Glasgow.
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1750		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Browning [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Starting out in Glasgow.
Hi,
I'm shortly about to start a private hire car with an (as yet) undecided company here in Glasgow. I am presently awaiting my badge and plate and have a car lined-up. My questions to the forum are:
How easy or otherwise will I find a second driver to use the car (wholly legally) while I continue to work in my full time job?.
I'm planning to work about 30 hours a week- most probably mainly evenings.
Also, I understand that he would pay me x amount per week for the use of the car. However, will he be paying for his insurance/radio or will I?
Would the cab company itself be able to provide a driver/drivers for my car while it is not being used by me?
I know that these questions might be more easily asked of the cab companies themselves but I'd prefer to hear a broader range of answers from forum members first.
Thank you most kindly for all replies I may receive.
Browning,
Glasgow.
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Starting out in Glasgow.
Browning wrote:
How easy or otherwise will I find a second driver to use the car (wholly legally) while I continue to work in my full time job?.
I'm planning to work about 30 hours a week- most probably mainly evenings.
Also, I understand that he would pay me x amount per week for the use of the car. However, will he be paying for his insurance/radio or will I?
Would the cab company itself be able to provide a driver/drivers for my car while it is not being used by me?

You will have no problem if you charge a cheap rent for your driver. :wink:

You will have to pay for the radio rental, and the insurance.

As for the circuit being able to find your a driver, I suspect they would rather any spare drivers drove an office car. :shock:
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
alternatively, if you hang around a while, Yorkie will adopt you and you can work for him :wink:

Captain cab
Author:  Yorkie [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
alternatively, if you hang around a while, Yorkie will adopt you and you can work for him :wink:

Captain cab



:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I will keep my own council on this one!
I am not going to say a lamb to slaughter.

this chap is going to be very experienced 12 months from now.
Author:  TDO [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Starting out in Glasgow.
Browning wrote:

How easy or otherwise will I find a second driver to use the car (wholly legally) while I continue to work in my full time job?.


It varies from location to location and from office to office. In some places most cars are owner-driver only, whereas in others two to three drivers per car is the norm.

I see that the official numbers show almost three drivers per PH car in Glasgow, so clearly the latter scenario is the norm, with many of those probably part-time, like yourself (although I thought 30 hours per week was nearly full-time, at least in the real world!).

As for recruiting drivers, again this varies. In smaller offices there may be a pool of drivers who are shared out between the cars, with the office cars probably taking preference, and the other owners fighting like cat and dog over who's turn it is for the drivers.

In the bigger offices the owners may have more of an attachment to individual drivers, perhaps there's a waiting list for new drivers administered by the office.

Or there may be a mixture of the two - the office probably wouldn't have any objection if you recruited your own driver, say a friend or relative.

Quote:
Also, I understand that he would pay me x amount per week for the use of the car. However, will he be paying for his insurance/radio or will I?
Would the cab company itself be able to provide a driver/drivers for my car while it is not being used by me?


Almost certainly you will pay the insurance and radio dues, and the driver will give you a rental in return for use of the car, or perhaps a percentage of the take.

See above in relation to your second question.

Quote:
I know that these questions might be more easily asked of the cab companies themselves but I'd prefer to hear a broader range of answers from forum members first.


There are so many different scenarios that without actually working in Glasgow no one can answer your questions definitively, so you would really have to ask the offices directly.

But there are one or two posters on here who know the Glasgow PH trade intimately, so wait a day or two and they may provide further information on here.
Author:  Yorkie [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
nice to see the accountancy profesion in on the act!
Author:  TDO [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Where do you see that, Mr Licensing Chairman :lol:
Author:  trigot [ Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
hello mate, who are you thinking of driving for my friend, the company you go to will very obviously impact on what you end up making financially. I wish i could do 30 hours and earn a good wage but sadly at least in glasgow its not like that at all. You need to bang hours in to make a decent living. Im now also coming to the conclusion that smaller is better as the big firms here are just too big and not enough work to go around whereas smaller might have enough to keep few of its drivers busy. As for renting your car, make sure you find a decent driver, i personally feel happier keeping my own paws on the car , others may not treat your vehicle with the respect you do, and all wear and tear , insurance, radio costs are yours alone,,including accidental damage. good luck.
Author:  TDO [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
I read the enquiry as saying that Mr Browning was to be doing 30 hours PHing as well as his full-time job :shock:
Author:  Browning [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Many thanks to you all for your replies.
Can any of you honestly recommend any Glasgow private hire companies? I've been for a "chat" with 2 of them and remain undecided. I can understand the logic in joining a "smaller" firm but am still left wondering if the "larger" firms would nontheless be a "safer" option.
It seems to me that it is probably the most important decision I must make and any hints you might offer me would be most appreciated. You guys are in the "know" and your experience is priceless to me.
Once again many thanks for your valuable time.
Browning,
Glasgow.
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Browning wrote:
I've been for a "chat" with 2 of them and remain undecided. I can understand the logic in joining a "smaller" firm but am still left wondering if the "larger" firms would nontheless be a "safer" option.
It seems to me that it is probably the most important decision I must make and any hints you might offer me would be most appreciated. You guys are in the "know" and your experience is priceless to me.

If I was in your shoes, I would start with a big firm, and see how it goes.

Then if it doesn't work out, you can look for another.
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
If I was in your shoes, I would start with a big firm, and see how it goes.

Then if it doesn't work out, you can look for another.


Thats sensible advice

Captain cab
Author:  paul [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
Quote:
If I was in your shoes, I would start with a big firm, and see how it goes.

Then if it doesn't work out, you can look for another.


Thats sensible advice

Captain cab


Siding with Sussex,now that is a rare,must be softening in your old age;El Capitan
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
lol yeah i thought that when i wrote it, the old public image will suffer :wink:

I think me and my friend sussex actually agree on far more than we disagree on.

Captain cab
Author:  paul [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
lol yeah i thought that when i wrote it, the old public image will suffer :wink:

I think me and my friend sussex actually agree on far more than we disagree on.

Captain cab


OH NO YOU DON'T
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