Taxi Driver Online

So how would you go about aproaching drivers working at existing companies? Is this a taboo in the trade?

What would you think if someone aproached you to work at a new firm?

On the work front I've got some contract work, and I'm talking with a very small firm about the posibility of buying them out and renaming the company (get rid of any bad feelings associated). My idea would then be to install a new computerised dispatch system, do a bit of marketing, and try to expand as soon as possible.

If you are trying to create a better quality service and fleet, then approach the lads who look like they care about the appearence of their motors and themselves.

If someone asked me if I wanted to change circuits, I wouldn't be upset, but I would ask many questions about the person asking.

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IDFIMH

Get a good phone number, and consider a free-phone one.

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IDFIMH

I've already secured a good telephone number, easy to remember. As for the freephone number don't the cost the earth to run? Plus with a big number of people using their mobile phones doesn't it make little point these days?

Another thing - when you're talking about uniformed drivers do you think a polo shirt with a company logo & a fleece jacket with company logo would make a big impact? Or is it more the shirt and tie?

I certainly don't think there's a problem with press advertising for existing drivers, since to that extent it would be just like advertising any job; indeed, since prospective drivers probably aren't even employed by other firms then to that extent they're freer agents than most workers.

I'm not so sure about a more direct approach though, particularly as you don't know who you might be approaching - they may have more of a stake in your competitor's business than you might imagine, or they may be a favourite of the proprietor in some way (and get 'fed', for example), in which case any approach to them might backfire.

Of course, since there are some fairly twisted people in the trade as in any other walk of life, you will be considered taboo whatever you do. I worked for one firm for a few months, for example, and the prop accused me of disloyalty when I left. It wasn't even as if I was going to a competitor or even setting up in competition - I was just going to work the ranks.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I'm not into freephone numbers since to me they smack more of price competition whereas you might want to compete more in terms of quality ie do you want to aim at the el cheapo end or the quality end.



The smarter the better, but you might have difficulty getting drivers to wear the smarter clothes, particularly if they have to buy them themselves.

But again there's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Hi Guy's

new operations IMHO, as many of you have already identified is chicken and egg.

Where the differences lie is within location, each area in the country has it's own unique problems this could be from getting driver ( as in London) to getting customers.

Customers in this business are just a fickle as in any other buisiness they insist you are on time, they insist the car is clean and smells nice they insist you know where they are going even when given the least possible infomation from them, even wrong street names and venue names, they insist the driver looks like their own personal chaffeur, they insist you do not chit chat and insist you get them to the Airport within time even if they keep you waiting.

This business is no win no win for the driver 100% of the time and in the majority of cases they will never reward you, ( give a tip ) when you are able to show you went that extra mile.

Do I sound as if I am sick of it

probobly because I am

At the end of the day you can only do your best and dependent on what the worst is in your area will depend on if the apreciation is there from the customers, however if you target the very top of the market then you have to resign yourself to the fact there will NEVER be any of that.

Kind regards

Eric

Ok, so does the location of the PH office make a difference. I would imagine that the majority of the PH work comes from telephone bookings. With this in mind is it worth paying a higher lease rate for a slightly more central office.

What about getting account work? How do you make your first steps at that and how do you win existing contracts?

Thanks for all your input so far - This forum is excellent!

The free radio deal sounds good, but if radios are £80pw in the area and being a new company you wont hit the road running, £80 is only an poor/avarage days takings. The driver will lose more than £80 a week waiting for the work to build up.
I worked for a small company a few years ago, my radio was £50pw but i couldnt make it pay and ended up flagging weekend nights to earn my crust. Over 2-3 months he ended dropping the cost of the radio to £0 but even then it wouldnt pay and i ended up leaving.

Perhaps if you did the deal with them of a free radio, then for those who stick with you (IMHO not many will) do a cheap deal for the future, maybe £25 off the cost it is to everybody else. But this also brings problems among drivers when they find out (and they will, very quickly).

Around here you need at least 40 cars to avoid upsetting drivers by asking them to drag maybe 3-4 miles for a £3.00 fare.

It wont be easy but i wish you well with it.

Sometimes off the road work isn't that special. Usually they have been sent to the office by the cab trade who don't like the look of them.

As for account work, just send the bosses a letter asking if you can quote for their work. Especially the council for schools and social service work.

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IDFIMH

Operating systems... Are there any that you should avoid or any really stand out ones. I've had my eye on a cordic or mercury system. Does anyone have any experience with either of these?

I feel like this is one of the make-or-break areas to consider

Do you mean so that you can be closer to where most of the telephone work is or nearer to the walk-in work?

I don't know if it's worth paying more for walk-in work - the only time you are likely to get a lot of it is when the pubs come out, and if you have to rely on that then to that extent it's a minus. On the other hand, being realisitic, much of the trade depends to a greater or lesser extent on that kind of work.




After you've found out what the main contracts are, bidding for them will obviously depend on what you think (or are told) the buyer wants - eg hotels may want smart cars and drivers, while a health authority may be more price-sensitive.

I wouldn't go overboard with contracts to start with, since you could over-commit yourself - contracts may involve supplying a fleet of cars at one time, for example, which may be tied up for some time.

Also, it's again a chicken and egg situation - you may find it difficult to wind good contracts until you are fairly well established.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Check out the equipment section of the forum, but you may end up with things confused rather than clarifed.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I'd really like to hear from anyone who currently runs a PH firm.

How do you find it? Is it rewarding (financially or personally )? How did you get going?

Let me know

no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

or am I just having a bad day, week month year

regards

Eric