Funny, I was just looking at Minicabit's website the other night - thought it would maybe be a way to get a few more airport runs etc
Maybe not a good idea, but I'm now seeing adverts for them whenever I go on YouTube and the like
(And I think they want public liability insurance anyway, which I haven't got
)
Taxi firms across UK report Minicabit debt amid Ipswich spathttps://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/2572 ... wich-spat/Ipswich taxi bosses say they are "horrified" by an investigation by this paper which shows that several other businesses across England were also put into debt by the Minicabit app.
This paper has spoken to five taxi companies who have worked the provider app - including those in Hertsmere, Romford and Leicester - and is aware of about £30,000 worth of debt owed to small businesses for unpaid trips.
The app is a comparison website for taxis that works similarly to Uber, and issues were first reported in Ipswich when Mamun Miah of Ip Express Cabs noticed he had not been paid £500.
While dozens of businesses have been speaking out online and some have taken action, as of December 3, Minicabit was purchased by CMAC Group, which says the business is now contacting suppliers regarding the outstanding amounts.
However, business owners like Romford-based Muhammad Usman, of the Smooth Transfer taxi service, say the experience will have lifelong impacts.
He was left £19,000 out of pocket after starting with Minicabit in June 2024 and was not paid for the last six months from February 2024.
This put him into so much debt that he was forced to take out loans with unfavourable interest just to pay his drivers.
"I felt trapped and it has been a huge stress worrying about paying the drivers", he said.
"I emailed them everyday, but they just kept ignoring me."
Meanwhile, Mohamed Abouelenin, who runs Taxi Mo Ltd in Hertsmere, was left more than £1,160 out of pocket.
He said “I had to scale back, and it had a real impact on our business.
“You call everyday but you just keep getting ignored."
Mamun Miah, of Ip Express in Ipswich, added that he was "horrified" to hear of how widespread the issue was.
He said: “It’s really quite upsetting that we had to find out that we're not the only ones.
“It’s sad and frankly angering to see they seem to think they can get away with this."
He explained how his business was left just under £3000 out of pocket, but was eventually paid back after posting on social media about the issues.
Finally, Anwar Miah runs Royal Rides in Ipswich and was also owed £750 initially, but this was later reduced to £470 instead of getting the full payment.
He said: “The whole thing was so stressful covering those jobs, and then they ended up not paying us - and they still haven't.
“We need to pay our bills, and we are a small company, so it makes a huge difference.”
Another business based in Leicester says it was also put £8,000 out of pocket, but could not go on record due to proceedings with Minicabit.
Who is supporting them?
Tenacious Ipswich borough councillor, Ruman Muhith, has also been calling on taxi drivers to come forward since last year.
He has also been writing to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Ipswich MP Jack Abbott and helping organise a movement to create change.
He said: "This is frankly staggering.
"It is actively ruining the lives of hard-working people who have done nothing wrong.
"I am demanding central government launch an urgent inquiryand its former CEO because the casual disregard shown for small businesses, livelihoods and basic legal obligations is disgraceful.
"Those responsible must be punished."
Who founded the business?Minicabit was founded by Amer Hasan, who launched the cab comparison website in 2011 after "noticing a gap for online price comparison in the taxi industry", its website states.
The app was later featured on Dragons' Den in 2014, where Mr Hasan spoke about how his app compiles a list of local cabs for people to book from, and Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones made an offer.
Meanwhile, after discovering his debt, Mr Miah from Ipswich began commenting on Mr Hasan's LinkedIn posts, tagging in Deborah Meaden.
However, Mrs Meaden replied to their comments, stating that she did not proceed and she did not have any business with Minicabit.
Mr Miah claims that within an hour of Mrs Meaden's response, Minicabit had sent the money to IP Express.
The business is now owned by CMAC Group, based in the North West as of the recent takeover.
What happens next?A statement from the business's CMAC Group reads: "We acquired the ongoing business operations of Minicabit to bring its digital capabilities and transport network into CMAC’s portfolio.
"As part of the purchase, we took on the company’s existing debts.
"We have already begun the process of contacting suppliers regarding the outstanding amounts. All creditors will be contacted by the end of January 2026.
"CMAC Group has been in business for over 18 years, working with more than 3,000 private hire vehicle and taxi operators in the UK. We pride ourselves on our track record of paying all fleets.
"Affected suppliers should contact CMAC Group directly on
roger.jago@cmacgroup.com."
Minicabit's website shows that it still works with thousands of taxi firms across the UK and no formal investigation is currently in place.
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