Taxi Driver Online

41 taxis to become more than 100 for leading Scottish fleet operator

The UK’s leading producer of purpose built taxis, Coventry-based LTI vehicles, has received its largest ever order for vehicles and its first order totalling more than £1 million in value.

As part of a major expansion, the Dundee Taxi Cab Company has ordered no less than 41 TXII taxis from Edinburgh main dealer John Paton & Son and has no plans to stop there!

Indeed, Dave Young, owner of the Victoria Street based firm, has stated that he plans to have at least 100 TXIIs at the company by Autumn 2005.

A relatively new player in the Dundee trade, the Dundee Taxi Cab Company was founded by Dave Young in February 2001and previously operated only five Hackney Carriages with around 65 private hire vehicles.

However, Dave Young decided to embark on this major investment following Dundee City Council’s decision to allow an unlimited number of licences for wheelchair accessible taxis, and ongoing growth in demand with more than 300 credit customers now on the company’s books.

The first five TXIIs were presented to Dave Young by LTI Vehicles’ Sales & Marketing Director, Matthew Cheyne, and Jim Wetherstone, General Manager at John Paton & Son in Edinburgh. They will be followed by a further 18 cabs in each of the next two months.

Each of the TXIIs is silver in colour to reflect the Dundee Taxi Cab Company’s corporate styling, and is a Bronze specification, automatic transmission taxi.

Dave Young explained that while a number of different types of wheelchair accessible vehicles are licensed for use as Hackney Carriages in Dundee, it was an easy decision to choose TXIIs.

“Most of the other vehicles are not purpose built taxis – they are converted vehicles and that gave the TXII a headstart.

“We had also already decided that we wanted side entry for wheelchairs and again this is something that the TXII offers whereas some of the other vehicles use rear loading systems. Safety is paramount and the TXII meets the European M1 classification for vehicles.

“We were also aware that some taxi drivers in Dundee who have bought converted vehicles have been unhappy with them and have actually handed them back due to their unsatisfactory performance. The TXII also has the famously tight black cab turning circle which offers unrivalled manoeuvrability even on the narrowest of streets.

“Both drivers and customers are really looking forward to having access to the new TXII fleet.”

Dave Young added: “We have also been delighted at the support we have had from John Paton & Son and their commitment to our success.”

The Dundee Taxi Cab Company runs its own training academy for taxi drivers – unique in Scotland – and most of the drivers for the new vehicles will come from there.

Jim Wetherstone commented: “This is a major investment by the Dundee Taxi Cab Company and shows clearly the status of the TXII purpose built taxi as the preferred choice among both major fleets and individual drivers.

“The TXII retains all the traditional features of the purpose built taxi in terms of safety, durability, manoeuvrability and recognisability, alongside a residual value unrivalled in the taxi trade.”

As a result of the deal, LTI Vehicles will also be appointing a new approved service agent in Dundee from 1st December in the form of the Dundee Car Service Centre. This will mean that approved parts and service facilities will for the first time be available locally.

To book a taxi via the company, call 01382 203020.

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Thats what I like to hear

really? thats an extra 41 drivers paying their PH office rent and now rent on the TX as well lets see how much he rents them out for.....

There is also one independent,who has bought one new TX11,with another six or seven bought second hand TX11,s.The second hane ones reange from a year to a year and half old.
The latter lads think that the TX11,s hold their prices and more cost effective to run??????
The Garage servicing these vehicles is owned by the Marrs.!!!!.

Where Mr Young will get his drivers is a mystery,as he could not sustain drivers for the saloon cars.
Interesting situation,where is the money coming from.Marrs do not bank roll him now or so the trade says.

Well as an outsider looking in,think the Dundee Taxi fraternity will agree with me in wishing Mr Young,good luck may the wind blow kindly for you.

I thought the Marrs controlled all the shares in the company.

Has David Young bought them?

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Dundee rocks. Almost.

Anyone know exactly what this training academy consists of?

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Dundee rocks. Almost.

At one time any one on the dole,they are taken into the office,given the rudiments of the trade.
Learning the streets,bit of checking the vehicle(oil,water etc),disability awareness of which all cabbies are told to go through.
More street awareness.
Go through the police street test,get their badges.
Sign a form to stay for so many months,or pay back £1000-£1500,if they leave.
Drive carefully and become one of the elite.

Jimmy Marr gave up on this business,months ago and Peter a little less than Jimmy.
Believe David is the MAIN man.

So Paul, how much more training, apart from what any other driver in Dundee has to do, in terms of hours. A couple of hours one evening or is it more?

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Dundee rocks. Almost.

Dundonian,
They run the school,Monday-Friday during the day,around six hours per day.This ensures they know the streets of Dundee,when up for the police test.
Also a part time evening one,which is for the people who are in employment,but want to change and become taxi drivers.
Well run school.
It is a wonder none of the other two taxi offices have not tried this,as a good way of capturing more drivers.
Still think that 203020,will still have problems expanding,unless they are able to find new drivers to work for them.

Some of the knowledge schools in this area sell ( ) the drivers to the highest bidder.

They suggest which one would be best for the newbies, but the one that they recommend is nearly always the operator that bungs the most.

Great trade this.

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IDFIMH