A bit of cynicism in the comments section about this one, unsurprisingly. Some of the facts disputed, and claim that it's a 'paid advertisement'. Certainly looks that way - all seems to good too be true. I mean, find it difficult to believe that in 18 years they've never had the slightest bit of trouble, and that they're never late.
North-east's only lady taxi firm, that 'doesn't do late, and where 'customers become friends'https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... i-15760930Meet Amanda and Sue, the North East's only lady taxi firm
Image: Gazette LiveAmanda and Sue Poulsom-Carver quit their taxi jobs ten years ago to become the North East's only lady taxi firm - and they have never looked back.
The couple has built up a list of regular customers with their firm, Lingdale Travel.
They don't do 'the nightclubs' or even late night fares - and they don't overbook.
Customers have even been known to plan their own holidays around when Sue and Amanda are available, rather than have another company drive them.
They even escort older customers in for their hospital appointments and carry their shopping.
And with jobs in the diary into 2020, they must be doing something right.
Amanda, 36, says the company does a lot of airport runs and calls from husbands who want to make sure their wives are okay.
And while they do drive men, they find it's mostly women booking their service.
The safety measures they insist on making means they have never had any trouble from dodgy passengers - or feel intimidated.
Sue, 48, and Amanda met through work when they were both employed by JP Taxis.
Amanda said: "People were saying how nice it was to have a lady driver - including the guys.
"We get a lot of guys who phone up with airport bookings and lads who go away for a weekend stag do in Amsterdam or whatever.
"It goes back to reliability, especially from a mother or father's point of view booking taxis for their daughters or sons.
"It's peace of mind.
"We are not sexist, we are not saying the guys don't do a good job.
"It's psychological. People feel safer if it's a lady driver."
Image: Gazette LiveThe pair have built up a loyal client base over the years.
"Customers have turned into friends," Amanda adds, "you get chatting about personal things, they tell you stuff.
"There's a bond, it's really nice.
"We don't do late.
"But if someone books us at 6am, we are there at 10 to, ready whenever they are.
"Sue did have a runner a few months back, but it was the first one in 18 years.
"We are careful, for the safety of ourselves as well as our passengers.
"Our phone rang at 2.34 this morning.
"The last thing I want to do is answer that call and go out; you don't know who you are picking up.
"We don't take too much on, we need our own time as well as the business needs time."
Sue said: "We drive lots of older ladies and do airport runs.
"We go to Gatwick, Glasgow, all over.
"There was nothing in Lingdale and East Cleveland at the time we wanted to set up.
"When we got our licence, the people at the court were chuffed to bits we were going to be a ladies only taxi firm.
"We didn't want to be a run of the mill taxi company.
"It's a very personal service.
"Lots of customers ring to book us for holidays and if we're not available, they will change their own holidays."
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