Taxi Driver Online

Pretty bog standard advertorial here, pitched at both potential drivers and customers

Of course, no doubt they'd like 100 new drivers, but whether or not they've got the work for them is another matter, as per...

But no doubt they'll pick up a few disgruntled punters and drivers from the likes of Boro Taxis (most obviously)

Not really sure what the phrase 'independent taxi company' means in this context, though. Independent of what?


Family-run taxi firm's hiring spree as it expands services to Middlesbrough for first time

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... g-26119035

Skyline Taxis has gone on a recruitment drive to take on 100 drivers; it will cover Middlesbrough from February 15


Image: Skyline Taxis/Gazette Live

An independent taxi company is expanding its services to Middlesbrough for the first time. Skyline Taxis has grown from a few cars to a fleet of around 130 drivers, after setting up a decade ago.

The family firm, which up to now has only covered the Stockton and Billingham areas, say their call handlers have been turning away around 1,000 calls a week from Middlesbrough customers.

Now the company, which is run by seven brothers, is carrying out a big recruitment drive to find hackney carriage and private hire drivers. Bosses want to take on another 100 drivers before the new service begins on February 15.

Managing director Tahir Mahmood said: "We started in 2013 with five cars. Now we're taking our service to Middlesbrough.

"We've got the operator licence. Hopefully we will recruit about 100 drivers.

"We've already had interest from around 40 drivers. They want to join us and some have already joined.

"We already refuse more than 1,000 jobs a week, previously we turned them down because we couldn't cover them. Middlesbrough people have a choice now.

"Good service is important for everybody, our aim is, if you want a taxi straightaway you should get it within 10 to 15 minutes. This is the most important thing. If there is a wait, and you tell them it's going to be a bit longer, most customers don't mind waiting."

* Customers can download the Skyline Taxis Teesside app and from February 15, Middlesbrough customers will be able to access the service.

Copied from every Uber ops application.

_________________
IDFIMH

...or from the one-man-band startup in that neck of the woods, who was getting so many calls he couldn't cover, he was forced to give up

You couldn't get a more obvious example of advertorial, pitched both at potential new drivers and customers.

Hope they're paying for this rather than just getting free advertising


Family-run taxi firm hiring more drivers after Middlesbrough expansion takes off

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... g-26290536

'People are praising us and saying they need our service'

An independent taxi firm that expanded its services to Middlesbrough is looking for extra drivers following a busy first weekend.

Skyline Taxis decided to apply for an operator licence after call handlers were turning away around 1,000 enquiries a week from Middlesbrough customers. The firm, run by seven brothers, previously only covered the Stockton and Billingham areas.

It went on a hiring spree to cover the extra work - and still needs to find around 20 more hackney carriage and private hire drivers. Managing director Tahir Mahmood said work in the new areas, across Middlesbrough, had taken off within a few days.

He said: "We did quite a few jobs over the weekend, people are praising us and saying they need our service. It's doing well.

"Around 70 to 80% of our customers are using the app to book journeys. We are still looking for more drivers, we need about 20 more to cover the work."

Skyline now covers areas including Coulby Newham, Marton, Grove Hill, Park End, Ormesby and Eston as well as central Middlesbrough.

If they have bundles of work paying good money they will be fine.

If they don't no amount of PR will convince drivers to join.

_________________
IDFIMH

Are the pair on the right of the photo brothers....one gets to wear the suit waistcoat and the other the natty suit jacket, next week they'll swap.