Taxi Driver Online

Not sure why this is on the Argus website - reads more like a business for sale advert, so maybe it's paid for, but it's not marked as such

And not much in the way of actual figures, as opposed to the blather and sales pitch...


Hastings taxi company Town Trip on sale for £150,000

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/2539960 ... e-150-000/


Image: Google/The Argus

A "well-established" taxi company has gone on sale for £149,995.

Town Trip, based in Hastings, is being sold by property agent Cogogo.

The listing states that the business has been running for over a decade and has "a consistent income stream" and "a strong operational structure."

Town Trip, a private hire taxi firm, generates "strong weekly income" from a team of four self-employed drivers, who each pay £107 per week.

The listing also states that the business has minimal overheads and "steady repeat business."

According to the listing, there is "excellent scope for growth" with additional marketing or service expansion.

Hastings is said to be an "ideal location for a private hire taxi firm" due to its blend of "urban convenience and tourist appeal."


Image: Cogogo/The Argus

The listing states that the firm benefits from "consistent demand" across Hastings and the surrounding areas, including St Leonards, Ore, and nearby villages.

The demand is driven by residents, commuters, tourists, and visitors to attractions such as Hastings Old Town, the pier, and regional events.

The listing states that Hastings has "strong local infrastructure and regular rail links" to London and Brighton, providing a "solid foundation for taxi operations."

It adds that there is "further opportunity for growth by tapping into contracts with local schools, care homes, and hospitality businesses."

The business operates from a "well-maintained and clearly signed office space" in a "convenient part of Hastings."

The office is described as a "central hub for the switchboard and dispatch operations" and is "fully equipped to support day-to-day operations."

There is also a "comfortable area" where drivers can "relax between jobs," "check schedules," or "grab a break."

The listing states that the business generates an annual turnover of approximately £390,000, with most revenue distributed to self-employed drivers. The net profit stands at approximately £45,000 per annum.

I somehow doubt that's the end of the story - I mean, how far would £428 per week go in terms of running an office etc?


I'd guess that means that they own a fleet of cars, with self-employed drivers, and that the fares generated by those cars is included in turnover, but only the £107 per week will be included in turnover for the four owner-drivers

But if they are genuinely self-employed, I'd question including all their takings in the turnover figure, and then substracting the drivers' cut

https://www.theargus.co.uk/resources/images/19848058/

Slightly better version of the second photo there, which shows the unusual 'NO BOOKING NO RIDE' sticker, which as well as sounding very Uber-ish/Americanised, is also on the huge and ugly side, at least by the normal standards of those 'pre-bookings only' sort of signage

And if I had to put a sticker like that on a car like that, I wouldn't align it with the door crease - it then looks lop-sided

£150,000 is an absolute pi** take.

Even if the firm had no expenses, it would take six and a half years to pay back. And that's if those four drivers remain on the firm.

But the biggest question mark to me is why one of the local firms isn't interested?

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IDFIMH

seems heavily overpriced to me for that money I would expect a dozen cars attached at least. Plus some healthy contract work

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector