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| Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national drive http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42439 |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national drive |
A while since I've bothered reading any of these, but this maybe underlines that Veezu's continuing with its expansion by way of acquisition, as opposed to organic growth (as the accountants and economists might put it). And Uber's growth pretty much wholly organic, thus in stark contrast to Veezu's acquisition trail and purchase of existing players ![]() But note Veezu's talk of 'regional connectivity' and creating a 'national' network, thus to that extent arguably the nearest thing the legacy industry has to the likes of Uber and Bolt. On the other hand, Veezu's PR blurb also highlights the localism, 'deep roots' and 'community-focus' etc. Which is obviously a marketing angle that Uber can't exploit so readily. New owner for Luton's biggest taxi firm https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/trans ... rm-6556514 ![]() Image: Luton Today Luton’s largest taxi company has been taken over by a company whose mission is to strengthen transport networks outside of the capital. Go Cars, founded in 2010, has more than 600 vehicles across Luton, Dunstable and the surrounding areas. Veezu has now taken over the company to “support regional connectivity across the South”. Passengers will get the same service, with a better experience through the Veezu app, which has real-time vehicle tracking, improved address search and multiple payment options. Nathan Bowles, CEO of Veezu, said: “We’ve always been clear in our ambition to build a truly national network, with a Veezu flag in every region of the UK. Our expansion into Luton is a strong example of that in action, as we continue to grow a network of local transport hubs while delivering the dependable, community-focused service passengers rely on every day. “Go Cars is a highly respected operator with a long-standing reputation for strong local service and deep roots in the Luton community.” |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
I'd guess that car with Edders' favourite colour scheme (apart from the Guildford HCs ) is at Luton Airport And maybe it's just me, but that colour scheme maybe makes the car look a bit smaller than it actually is. Think it's maybe a Toyota Corolla. Not the biggest car in the trade, but a bit bigger maybe than it looks in the photo
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| Author: | captain cab [ Thu Apr 02, 2026 7:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
sorry stu - I seem to have fecked up this thread
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| Author: | Sussex [ Thu Apr 02, 2026 8:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
New owner for Luton's biggest taxi firm https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/trans ... rm-6556514 Luton’s largest taxi company has been taken over by a company whose mission is to strengthen transport networks outside of the capital. Go Cars, founded in 2010, has more than 600 vehicles across Luton, Dunstable and the surrounding areas. Veezu has now taken over the company to “support regional connectivity across the South”. Passengers will get the same service, with a better experience through the Veezu app, which has real-time vehicle tracking, improved address search and multiple payment options. Nathan Bowles, CEO of Veezu, said: “We’ve always been clear in our ambition to build a truly national network, with a Veezu flag in every region of the UK. Our expansion into Luton is a strong example of that in action, as we continue to grow a network of local transport hubs while delivering the dependable, community-focused service passengers rely on every day. “Go Cars is a highly respected operator with a long-standing reputation for strong local service and deep roots in the Luton community.” |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
If it is Luton it must be taken on the top floor of the short stay. I assume it's been rebuilt after the fire. You know the one which Wasn't ( ) started by an EV
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| Author: | StuartW [ Fri Apr 03, 2026 4:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
captain cab wrote: sorry stu - I seem to have fecked up this thread ![]() Not that one where you think you've pressed the quote button, but you're actually in edit, and the original post disappears? Been there, done that But luckily I've not got moderator privileges, so can only edit my own posts. And if I have managed to destroy a post I've spent yonks on via the quote/edit confusion, I can at least recreate it myself...before anyone else notices Anyway, thanks for reposting the piece, Sussex - I copied and pasted it into my original post and recreated it, or at least it's something like the original post. And the reason for that rather than just leaving your post was that from my point of view it was a bit pointless posting it in the first place without the explanation, as per the now recreated post So at least now another half dozen people can read it, in addition to the half dozen or so who read the original
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| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Apr 03, 2026 6:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
I see Luton has now got its first Reform councillor. Replaced a Lib Dem.
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Apr 03, 2026 7:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
as I posted in another thread; The DfT seems to think PHV operators are all kindly pensioners running dispatch from their conservatory between knitting sessions. Meanwhile, in the real world: • Big operators are swallowing small ones like a corporate game • Drivers are charged for equipment, for jobs, for breathing too loudly • “Local” brands are often just national companies wearing a cheap disguise And then there’s the line about operators “drawing from the pool of drivers.” What pool? They’re not koi carp. They’re human beings trying to earn a living without being rinsed by rental fees that would make a loan shark blush. |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Sat Apr 04, 2026 4:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
Quote: Meanwhile, in the real world: • Big operators are swallowing small ones like a corporate game • Drivers are charged for equipment, for jobs, for breathing too loudly • “Local” brands are often just national companies wearing a cheap disguise Bang on, and I meant to post that yesterday, but forgot But meant to say that presumably you were alluding to Veezu in particular when it comes to that sort of thing. And, as the Veezu statement in the article above confirms, they're 'local' and 'community-based' brands when it suits, but also facilitating national 'connectivity' on the other hand. All good PR, though
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sat Apr 04, 2026 5:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
Quote: But meant to say that presumably you were alluding to Veezu It's not just Veezu, TakeMe has dozens of firms operating under their traditional names, and I'm told a huge pot of cash to buy up more. |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Sat Apr 04, 2026 6:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
Sussex wrote: Quote: But meant to say that presumably you were alluding to Veezu It's not just Veezu, TakeMe has dozens of firms operating under their traditional names, and I'm told a huge pot of cash to buy up more. which begs the question where does that pot of cash come from ? |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sun Apr 05, 2026 6:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
Quote: which begs the question where does that pot of cash come from ? Venture Capitalists. They look at Uber's valuation and think they would love a slice of it. I'm not sure how much these firms go for, but let's say a firm with 100 cars goes for £500,000. If drivers pay £100 a week, the VC's get their money back in a year or so. Now I know that nothing is straightforward, but if the bigger boys have apps and national call centres, the savings can be quite significant. VCs like to see a return in 5 years. I think those investing in Veezu and the like should easily see a return. |
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| Author: | StuartW [ Mon Apr 06, 2026 2:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
Sussex wrote: It's not just Veezu, TakeMe has dozens of firms operating under their traditional names, and I'm told a huge pot of cash to buy up more. I often wondered what TakeMe referred to - it's obviously an instruction from the minnows to be gobbled up by a much bigger player
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| Author: | StuartW [ Mon Apr 06, 2026 2:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
Edders wrote: If it is Luton it must be taken on the top floor of the short stay. I assume it's been rebuilt after the fire. Ah, that makes sense - I was focused more on the car than the surroundings, and kind of assumed it might be some kind of flyover or roadway. But I see what's probably the yellow car parking spaces marked at the bottom of the photo... Edders wrote: which begs the question where does that pot of cash come from ? No point going into the nitty gritty of corporate finance and all that kind of stuff here... But, as Sussex alludes, plenty sources of finance if the investment proposition is good. However, kind of surprised that there's a lot of finance available to buy legacy brands and operations, in view of Uber in particular. On the other hand, maybe that's because there are lots of legacy operations going cheaply, both because of Uber in particular, and the legacy of lockdown etc. Maybe a lot of them are what are called 'distress sales' in business terms. And I think Veezu specifically states on its website that it's willing to consider buying any operations up for sale. As they say, 'it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good'
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| Author: | edders23 [ Mon Apr 06, 2026 9:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Veezu acquires Luton's biggest 'taxi' firm in national d |
I would not be surprised if much of that VC money isn't from less than legit sources. After all the PH trade is the ideal vehicle for money laundering now that the property rental market is getting demolished by the government. |
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