Your Ad Here

10 Haziran 2010 Perşembe

Hailing a Taxi in Los Angeles


Hail-a-cab Approved

The City Council approved a proposal that allows taxis to pick up hailing passengers in zones that used to be restricted to taxi cabs. This allows taxis to wait less in lines at taxi zones and allows them to roam free on the street looking for hailing customers.


The New Rules


  • Taxis are now allowed to pick up passengers in red zones
  • Taxis are also allowed to pick up passengers in lanes that become no parking zones during rush hours
  • Taxis are allowed to double park to pick up and drop of passengers
  • Taxis are NOT allowed to pick up or drop off passengers at bus stops


Around downtown signs declare the new rules to citizens, encouraging them to stick out their hands and hail a taxi like New Yorkers. Now that cabs are allowed to roam free and pull over wherever Los Angeles taxi cab drivers are happier and so are riders.



 "It is a lot better for me and for them. I don't have to worry about getting ticketed for picking up passengers and I get more business, and the passengers can get picked up when they want to," said taxi driver Finhas Gebrechal.

source: http://mannfinalblog.blogspot.com/

Taxi Business For Sale

Taxi Businesses For Sale In WestmeathTaxi Businesses For Sale In DonegalTaxi Businesses For Sale In Sligo
Taxi Businesses For Sale In MayoTaxi Businesses For Sale In TipperaryTaxi Businesses For Sale In Limerick
Taxi Businesses For Sale In WicklowTaxi Businesses For Sale In WexfordTaxi Businesses For Sale In Monaghan
Taxi Businesses For Sale In CavanTaxi Businesses For Sale In LeitrimTaxi Businesses For Sale In Galway
  • Exceptional Taxi Business For Sale In Wiltshire Business 4
    Meridian Business Sales are delighted to offer for sale this truly exceptional home run taxi business which was first established by our clients in 1988 who are only now placing it onto the market
  • 260209 Taxi For Sale Blanchardstown Dublin €5,000 Buy Or
    For Sale taxi in Blanchardstown Dublin €5,000 260209 Buy or Sell Online with Free Irish Classifieds
  • Irish Businesses For Sale In Ireland Buying Selling In Ireland
    Businesses for sale in Ireland. Irish Businesses for sale by Dublin Business Broker. Franchises for sale. Full service business brokers. Selling or Buying a Thousands of Business in Ireland.
  • Offices For Sale Dublin 2, Dublin Myhome.Ie Commercial
    Dublin 2, Dublin Offices. Commercial Offices for sale in Dublin 2 Offices for sale. 542m² For Sale POA. Region â"¬3,000,000 Property Description This is an excellent opportunity to purchase a magnificent Georgian Building in a prime Dublin 2 business location.
  • Taxi Company For Sale In United Kingdom Business 4 Sale .Co.Uk
    Advent Business Sales have been instructed to offer for sale this well established and successful taxi company, which has been trading for 2½ years under the current vendor.Due to retirement plans,
  • Dublin 2 Property Guide Dublin 2 Property Listings, About
    Looking for property in Dublin 2, Dublin. Find houses for sale in Dublin 2, Dublin, house prices, property trends, local schools, local businesses & services, transport links, apartments to rent, maps, Holiday homes to let Dublin 2, Dublin,
  • Cars Dublin Cars For Sale Dublin Used Cars Dublin Car
    Cars for sale in Dublin, the new and used cars informational website for cars for sale in Dublin. Here you can find used cars cars in Dublin advertised for sale by Dublin private car sellers and car dealers in Dublin
  • Sydney Taxi Prices: Melbourne Taxi Plate Price
    Taxi Plates for Sale. Sydney Taxi Owners. Sydney Taxis. Taxi Plates for Sale in Sydney. Taxi Bursa Izmir Ankara Taxi Plate Pric Dublin: Xpert Digi Taxis set a
  • Taxi Business For Sale. " Nz Taxi Blog
    This is a great Lifestyle Business that I am only selling due to a change in family TAXI BUSINESS FOR SALE. Seattle Taxi Camera's. Warning, merger signs of hard time for
  • Dublin, Ca Puppies For Sale Find Puppies For Sale In Dublin, Ca
    Search for puppies for sale in Dublin, CA. Get addresses, phone numbers, driving directions, reviews and ratings on Local.com
  • Hysucat Boats For Sale Uk, Hysucat Used Boat Sales, Hysucat
    Apollo Duck Businesses: For Sale: Water Taxi Fleet Business Caribbean Islands Manchester UAE Sea Taxi Service operations Partner / Joint Venture In Caribbean for a NEW fleet of water taxis 9mtr 12 person capacity to 150 pax 22 mtr fast Hysucat Ferries
  • Taxi Roofsigns, Taxi Meters And Printers And Other Taxi
    Taxi meters, printers and printer accessories, calibrations, roof signs, radios, aerials, GPS systems, alarms, video cameras, and anything else you need for your taxi. Taxi accessories sales repairs and maintenance. Taxi rentals and sales Dublin
  • 210909 Taxi Plate For Sale Rathcoole Dublin €800 Buy Or
    For Sale Taxi Plate in Rathcoole Dublin €800 210909 Buy or Sell Online with Free Irish Classifieds
  • Boats For Sale Ireland, Used Boats, New Boat Sales, Free
    Apollo Duck, Businesses For Sale water taxi fleet business, Businesses Wanted distributor wanted Sea Taxi Service operations Partner / Joint Venture In Caribbean for a NEW fleet of water taxis 9mtr 12 person capacity to 150 pax 22 mtr fast
  • Taxi Accessories, Taxi Meters And Printers And Other Taxi
    Taxi meters, printers and printer accessories, calibrations, roof signs, radios, aerials, GPS systems, alarms, video cameras, and anything else you need for your taxi. Taxi accessories sales repairs and maintenance. Taxi rentals and sales Dublin

2 Haziran 2010 Çarşamba

All Taxis for Sale

All Taxis 1
CLICK ON PICTURE OR REF FOR FULL DETAILS
 

 

TAXI  ADVERT 4WEEKS - £7.00 - CHEAP ADVERTISING


We do not duplicate adverts to bulk out our pages

 

Ref

Vehicle

Model

Year

Mileage

Location

Price

 Man/Auto

LTI TX11 Taxi  for sale

1321np

LTI TX11

Silver

2002

230000

North London

£8000

Auto

LTI TX11 Taxi  for sale

1322np

LTI TX11

Bronze

2006

64000

Coventry

£13995

Auto

LTI TX11 Taxi  for sale

1323np

LTI TX11

Bronze

2005

64000

Coventry

£11000

Auto

LTI TX1 TAXI FOR  SALE

1324np

LTI TX1

Bronze

2000

150000

Birmingham

£3500

Manual

Peugeot E7 Taxi for Sale

1298f

Peugeot

E7

2004

 

West Midlands

£6300

ANOTHER TAXI SOLD  TAXISALES.NET

FX4 Taxi for  Sale

1325np

Carbodies

FX4

1994

300000

Crawley, Sussex

£800

Auto

Peugeot Expert Taxi for Sale

1299f

Peugeot

Expert

2003

 

West Midlands

£3499

Manual

Peugeot Eurocab for sale

1300f

Peugeot

EuroCab/E7 Taxi

2003

171831

West Midlands

£

ANOTHER TAXI SOLD  TAXISALES.NET

Peugeot EuroTaxi for sale

1301f

Peugeot

EuroCab/E7 Taxi

2003

168212

West Midlands

£

ANOTHER TAXI SOLD  TAXISALES.NET

LTI TX11 Taxi  for sale

1326np

LTI TX11

 

2002

233000

Dundee

£5995

Manual

VW Transporter Taxi for sale

1302f

Volkswagon

Transporter, Hackney

2005

78000

Newport

£13250

Auto

MetroCab series  11 Taxi For Sale

1327np

Metrocab

Series 11

1999

305000

Wiltshire

£1999

Auto

LTI TX11 Taxi  for sale

1328np

LTI TX11

Silver

2006

64000

Swindon

£13800

Auto

LTI TX1 TAXI FOR SALE

1303f

LTI TX1

 

1998

 

London

£7995

Manual

Peugeot E7 SE Taxi for sale

1304f

Peugeot

E7 SE

2008

38000

Prestatyn, North Wales

£18995

Manual

LTI TX4 TAXI FOR  SALE

1329np

LTI TX4

Silver

2006

99000

Coventry

£15999

Manual

MetroCab series  11 Taxi For Sale

1330np

Metrocab

Series 11

1996

 

Cornwall

£450

ANOTHER TAXI SOLD  TAXISALES.NET

Mercedes Vito Taxi for Sale

1305f

Mercedes

Vito109 CDI

2007

100525

Birmingham

£18250

Manual

Mercedes Vito  Taxi For Sale

1332np

Mercedes

Vito

2004

111111

Sandbach

£10000

Manual

MetroCab Series  111 TAXI FOR SALE

1333np

Metrocab

TTT

2000

292000

Middlesex

£6950

Auto


<<Previous    Next>>
If you know the particular Model your looking for Try using the Quick search

Toronto Pearson International Airport - GTAA

Taxis & Limousines

The GTAA licences 360 taxis and 276 limousines to serve Toronto Pearson, ensuring that vehicles meet specific safety requirements, and that passengers are guaranteed fair and consistent rates. Rates are predetermined based on the time and distance to your destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Fares for taxis outside of the GTA are listed on the Out-of-Town Tariff map, and any area that is not listed on this tariff will be $1.45/km for taxis, or $1.55/km for limousines. For current rates, click on one of the zone maps below.

Effective August 1, 2009 the average price per litre of regular gasoline over a successive 90-day period is between $0.91 - $1.19 representing a Fuel Surcharge of $1.00 per trip. For more information about tariffs, click here.

Pre-Booking
Pre-booking is not required for passengers leaving the airport. Taxis and limos are always available at the Arrivals Level of each terminal. For pre-arranged service, click here.

Special Assistance
The GTAA offers a convenient waiting area for passengers requiring special assistance.

Excess Luggage Protocol
Taxis and limousines are prohibited from carrying luggage in the cabin of the vehicle. If luggage exceeds the 15 cubic feet trunk capacity for taxis, or the 20 cubic feet capacity for limousines, passengers have the following options:

  • Utilize two vehicles – a two vehicle fare will be charged.
  • See the curbside dispatcher to arrange for a van – a $12 surcharge will apply.
  • Request that the driver utilize a bungee cord – a $12 surcharge will apply.

Contact Information for Taxi and Limousine Services
Taxis and limousines that pick up passengers in municipal jurisdictions must be licensed in that jurisdiction. Contact the taxi or limousine service provider of your choice to confirm that they are licensed to provide pick-up service in your area.

Inquiries or Concerns?
Please address any inquiries or concerns to the GTAA Commercial Vehicle Operations at (416) 776-9867.

29 Mayıs 2010 Cumartesi

Toronto Taxicab Companies

Toronto Taxicab Companies

Recommendations and Phone Numbers for Cabs in Toronto

By , About.com Guide

Need a taxi in Toronto? Here are some recommended cab companies, plus the phone numbers of many others.

Reminder About Special Circumstances
If you would like to pay by debit, are transporting an animal, need an accessible vehicle or have any other special needs, you should tell the dispatcher as soon as you phone. While most of these companies can accommodate these situations, it may effect which driver can pick you up.

Recommended Cab Companies in Toronto

Beck Taxi

A Beck Taxi CabMarilyn Campbell
416-751-5555
Beck Taxi's friendly and polite drivers are quick to arrive and know how to get you where you're going. The green and orange cab colors also make them easy to spot in traffic, so Beck Taxis are easy to hail. The Beck Taxi website details the company's commitment to customer service, and the results show.
www.becktaxi.com

Royal Taxi

416-777-9222
The dark blue cabs of Royal Taxi are always a welcome sight. Clean, punctual and knowledgeable, Royal also operates a limousine service and has numerous accessible vehicles available.
www.royaltaxi.ca

More Toronto Cab Companies

City Taxi

416-740-2222
www.citytaxitoronto.com

Co-op Cabs

A  Co-op red and yellow cabMarilyn Campbell
416-504-2667
www.co-opcabs.com

Crown Taxi

416-750-7878
www.crowntaxi.com

Diamond Taxicab

Marilyn Campbell
416-366-6868
www.diamondtaxi.ca

Kingsboro Taxi

416-232-2222
www.kingsborotaxi.com

Maple Leaf Taxi

Marilyn Campbell

1 Mayıs 2010 Cumartesi

Taxi Forums

I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Taxi's / Taxi Plates

Hi guys I dont really post much but I do view a lot of the threads and try to learn as much as possible as there are obviously some very knowledgable people on here.

The main purpose of this post is to ask for some information. I've managed to save up some money as ever since I left school (im 25 now) i've always wanted to have my own business. I know some people who have their own business and am under no illusions as to the amount of work and effort that has to be put into it, especially to get it up and running and established.

I'll be honest and say that i've never had my own business as such as up until recently i've already had a steady job so always felt it was a bit of a risk to leave that to start up a business with no practical experience of running a proper business. However I was recently paid off and thought about starting up, however the current economic climate has definetly put me of off starting up (for now) but I have also noted the poor interest on saving's accounts (i've used up my ISA allowance and dont fancy the stock market at the moment).

So I was thinking what the best thing to do with my money until I come up with a solid business idea and "go for it" would be basically keep it safe and try and "earn" as much from it as possible. I know someone who has some taxi's on the road and he rents them out for a certain sum every week. However if there are repairs etc he has to pay for these. His drivers only pay for the hire of the "package" that is the car, plate, radios and of course they have to pay for their own fuel.

To get to the point (sorry for waffling) i've been offered another job and i think im going to take it so I wont really have the time to deal with getting repairs done, arranging for MOT's, new tyres and break pads to be fitted etc. Also I dont really have the proper connections that would allow me to get a taxi on the ramp in a garage ASAP after any fault occurred which could mean it could be off the road for days so it would not be making any money on those days.

I was thinking about instead of getting a taxi on the road buying a taxi plate. The problem is it seems to be a bit of a "shady world". By that I mean absolutely no disrespect to drivers or owner/operators etc. Its just that from what i've found out, these plates, technically, should have no monetry value. Again this is just what i've found out and might very well be wrong, but apparantly "in the beginning" a council will look at how many taxi's are required on the roads and issue a certain amount of plates. People then apply for these plates and although i say no monetry value they may have to pay a small fee at first for council admin fees or whatever, but apparantly this is just a few hundred pounds if that. They then have a plate and thats fine. However once all the plates are issued then if someone wants one from a person who has been issued one then really they have to pay for it. Its not just a few hundred pounds either some of them are changing hands for around the 20 grand mark. If you cant afford to buy the plate from someone then you can rent it for around 100 pounds per week. Now I was looking at this and started to think thats 5 grand per year, which equates to 25% interest? That cant be bad where do I sign up to buy a plate from someone?

The problem I have is that the whole thing seems a little "corrupt" as I've heard that council officials made sure that people they knew got some of the plates (not all of them of course) so thats basically someone has paid a couple of hundred pounds and then they either sell it for 20 grand or rent it out for 100 pounds per week. Again I didnt have too much of a problem with that as sometimes it does really pay to be in something from the ground floor so good on the people who foresaw the business opportunity and got the plates early. I also heard that a lot of taxi company's are actually "owned" by gangster etc, although their name may not be above the door, they are behind it and because it is a cash buiness can use it for money laundering etc.

Now as I say I was thinking about buying a plate and renting it out to someone who wants to be their own boss and have a taxi on the road but maybe cant afford or has no desire to buy a plate. This apprealed to me as there are no maintenance fees etc and much less hassle than having an actual taxi on the road. The main thing that has put me off is that i've heard although you have paid 20 grand for the plate, technically you dont actually own it, you have been "issued" it from the council and it can be taken off you at anytime for whatever reason. i.e. say you were involved in a road traffic accident and done for dangerous driving, this would be you now with a criminal record and as such could be deemed not to be a "fit and proper person". As a result your plate which you have paid 20 grand for can be taken off you. As i said they are not supposed to have any monetry value but to get one you had to hand over the cash.

Sorry for making this so long but I was just wondering if anyone can inform me if i am wrong about any of these things or possibly all of them just so that I could make an informed decision about this. I am also trying to bear in mind that it is unlikely I would have the plate taken off me and even if I did, as long as I got 4 or 5 years out of it then it wouldnt actually cost me anything. I was also thinking about putting it in my mothers name but then an accident and resultant charges/convictions can happen to anyone. Any advice on any of these things would be much appreciated, and again sorry if i've bored you all
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20th December 2008, 12:36
I'm really getting into this forum.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 143
Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts
Funnily enough you and I are in almost the same position (in terms of age and proposed occupation) albeit I'm going it on my own.

I am familiar with the system you refer to, and you can still turn a handsome profit from it but I'd rather be building up my own little brand to be honest. The plate system, well yeah local councils being corrupt on the matter is no big suprise to me.

I am deciding wether to go down the 5 year HP route or save a bit more and buy a much more modestly priced model that has higher running costs. To turn a nice £££ you need two on the road, one being an MPV.
__________________
There is no traffic on the extra mile!

Last edited by Lord Harris; 20th December 2008 at 12:43.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20th December 2008, 14:39
Burden's Avatar
There are concerns over my Forum/Life balance.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,166
Thanked 233 Times in 203 Posts
Ive worked in 2 different taxi companies and family own another.

You will find it very hard to rent a plate unless in London or another high price area rather than a local town and council for £100.

The drivers who cant afford can ALL afford a plate but not the full package. They want a Good Running Car / Plate / Radio all ready to go. Around my area thats £110-150 for a week usually. You can bet your arse you will be dragged out of bed at 3am when the car breaks down and the drivers wants a new one or wont pay the money for the package. Bearing in mind if its with a company you take the radio out you will be liable to pay the radio regardless which is discounted the more you think through.

But yea i doubt you'd get £100 a week just for a plate.
__________________

Burden Music
Rehearsal & Tuition / Gig Supplies
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20th December 2008, 16:48
Magsite's Avatar
I am part of the furniture here.
...UK Business Forums Full Member...
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,297
Thanked 30 Times in 27 Posts
As a side line but still inline with taxi's, has anyone tried selling/buying advertising on a Taxi? Not sure how much a person would charge, any idea's to say, have the rear of the car where you can add info like a domain name?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20th December 2008, 17:48
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Harris View Post
Funnily enough you and I are in almost the same position (in terms of age and proposed occupation) albeit I'm going it on my own.

I am familiar with the system you refer to, and you can still turn a handsome profit from it but I'd rather be building up my own little brand to be honest. The plate system, well yeah local councils being corrupt on the matter is no big suprise to me.

I am deciding wether to go down the 5 year HP route or save a bit more and buy a much more modestly priced model that has higher running costs. To turn a nice £££ you need two on the road, one being an MPV.

Thanks for your reply m8, yeah I heard that soon its going to be a requirement for taxi companies (although not necessarily taxi owners) to have a certain amount of their cars to be MPV's that can transport disabled people. What I mean by that is if you have a plate/car package and go with "xyz taxi's ltd" for the radio package etc then that company must have a certain per centage of their cars being mpv's.

I think you have to be careful what you buy as I know some people get 6 seaters and some get 8 seaters. I think there is a substantial difference in running costs.

It would be great to have a distant relative in the council licensing department who "seen the need" for a few more plates and as if by magic the were issued to us lol. It seems to be another one of those enterprises where it is a case of who you know rather than what you know.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20th December 2008, 19:09
Burden's Avatar
There are concerns over my Forum/Life balance.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,166
Thanked 233 Times in 203 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peterpaul View Post
I think you have to be careful what you buy as I know some people get 6 seaters and some get 8 seaters. I think there is a substantial difference in running costs.
This is only so true and can cause some problems.

- People sometimes think.. well its Fare + Half for People Carrier (5+ Seats) so it works out on the running costs. But if your with a standard company you will do hires for normal cars at normal fare then when a job for 5+ seater is phoned in you will do it. Another thing you need to factor in is dead time / no hire / running for people carrier jobs etc.
__________________

Burden Music
Rehearsal & Tuition / Gig Supplies
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20th December 2008, 19:13
I'm really getting into this forum.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 143
Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts
Does anyone know the credit situation with hire purchase at the moment?

I have a good credit rating but I'd bee suprised if they haven't upped the lending cirteria?
__________________
There is no traffic on the extra mile!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20th December 2008, 19:50
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by i234i View Post

- People sometimes think.. well its Fare + Half for People Carrier (5+ Seats) so it works out on the running costs. But if your with a standard company you will do hires for normal cars at normal fare then when a job for 5+ seater is phoned in you will do it. Another thing you need to factor in is dead time / no hire / running for people carrier jobs etc.
Yeah thats sort of what I meant (sorry should have been clearer lol) i.e. an 8 seater can be quite a lot more to run per mile than a 6 seater which in turn is more expensive to run that a saloon car. And at the end of the month it may work out that you have made less with the MPV than you would have with just a saloon car. most of the taxi company's in scotland use skoda octavias, I think if you have a few cars on the road and have a 6 seater or 8 seater that is reasonable on fuel then it will come into its own if you can manage to get a lot of private bookings etc for example taking people to night outs and then picking them up again as you can charge extra but per person it will work out cheaper or the same for the fare. I also heard that some taxi company's can get contracts with hospitals to take things like files etc to other hospitals but im not sure if thats true as surely it would pose security/data protection issues? if it is I cant see it lasting as surely they could email them or something?

As I said I'm thinking of going down the plate route as its less hassle, but if I did get a taxi(s) on the road myself I think i'd stay away from the people carriers unless the company I was with were subsidising me in some way, but thats just me.

The whole thing gets confusing as there are taxis and then there are private hire cars and although i know what the difference is (private hire cannot be flagged down or sit at ranks, it has to be pre-booked or phoned) I dont know how much private hire plates change hands for I've been told alsorts of figures by different people and someone even told me that you just apply to the council and as long as you're not a criminal and your car is suitable then you just pay a leasing fee to the council providing they do not deem there are too many on the area already. But i've never heard of anyone renting out a private hire plate but the plates that everyone rents out is the taxi plate which is usually around the 20 grand mark.

Last edited by Peterpaul; 20th December 2008 at 19:55.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29th July 2009, 11:43
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hi, I am a taxi owner operator, trainer and assessor in the industry. I just thought I would offer some realism to the forum. You need to check if your licensing authority is deregulated. If it is, then you dont have to buy an existing plate, the council will have to issue you with one if both you and your vehicle are compliant with the licensing regulations. The vehicle will have to be tested, be compliant and you will have to hold a valid hackney or private hire licence for that area. In my area (which is deregulated) new operators can only put on a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Theres a difference between wheelchair accessible and MPV. Also to be able to put it in your mothers name, she will also have to be a licenced driver for that authority. I would advise you to lease a car before you buy as the cost of running your own taxi can be huge. Insurance, tax, mot, licence fees, breakdowns, servicing and repairs. The general public seem to think that taxi drivers earn lots of money because they get in, go a few mile down the road and hand over a tenner. They think,'he must be earning a fortune' what they dont realise is that youve been sitting on the rank for an hour and a half and you will go back and sit there again for an hour or so and get a job for 3 or 4 pounds. you work it out, because thats the reality. The deregulation of taxis in this country has allowed so many to be licenced that drivers have been reduced to earning less than the minimum wage. My income after expenses last year was zero. Most of the drivers I know are claiming some kind of benefits and those that dont, are working a very unhealthy 90 hours a week to pay the mortgage. Im sorry but that really is the reality.
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Taxi's / Taxi Plates

Hi guys I dont really post much but I do view a lot of the threads and try to learn as much as possible as there are obviously some very knowledgable people on here.

The main purpose of this post is to ask for some information. I've managed to save up some money as ever since I left school (im 25 now) i've always wanted to have my own business. I know some people who have their own business and am under no illusions as to the amount of work and effort that has to be put into it, especially to get it up and running and established.

I'll be honest and say that i've never had my own business as such as up until recently i've already had a steady job so always felt it was a bit of a risk to leave that to start up a business with no practical experience of running a proper business. However I was recently paid off and thought about starting up, however the current economic climate has definetly put me of off starting up (for now) but I have also noted the poor interest on saving's accounts (i've used up my ISA allowance and dont fancy the stock market at the moment).

So I was thinking what the best thing to do with my money until I come up with a solid business idea and "go for it" would be basically keep it safe and try and "earn" as much from it as possible. I know someone who has some taxi's on the road and he rents them out for a certain sum every week. However if there are repairs etc he has to pay for these. His drivers only pay for the hire of the "package" that is the car, plate, radios and of course they have to pay for their own fuel.

To get to the point (sorry for waffling) i've been offered another job and i think im going to take it so I wont really have the time to deal with getting repairs done, arranging for MOT's, new tyres and break pads to be fitted etc. Also I dont really have the proper connections that would allow me to get a taxi on the ramp in a garage ASAP after any fault occurred which could mean it could be off the road for days so it would not be making any money on those days.

I was thinking about instead of getting a taxi on the road buying a taxi plate. The problem is it seems to be a bit of a "shady world". By that I mean absolutely no disrespect to drivers or owner/operators etc. Its just that from what i've found out, these plates, technically, should have no monetry value. Again this is just what i've found out and might very well be wrong, but apparantly "in the beginning" a council will look at how many taxi's are required on the roads and issue a certain amount of plates. People then apply for these plates and although i say no monetry value they may have to pay a small fee at first for council admin fees or whatever, but apparantly this is just a few hundred pounds if that. They then have a plate and thats fine. However once all the plates are issued then if someone wants one from a person who has been issued one then really they have to pay for it. Its not just a few hundred pounds either some of them are changing hands for around the 20 grand mark. If you cant afford to buy the plate from someone then you can rent it for around 100 pounds per week. Now I was looking at this and started to think thats 5 grand per year, which equates to 25% interest? That cant be bad where do I sign up to buy a plate from someone?

The problem I have is that the whole thing seems a little "corrupt" as I've heard that council officials made sure that people they knew got some of the plates (not all of them of course) so thats basically someone has paid a couple of hundred pounds and then they either sell it for 20 grand or rent it out for 100 pounds per week. Again I didnt have too much of a problem with that as sometimes it does really pay to be in something from the ground floor so good on the people who foresaw the business opportunity and got the plates early. I also heard that a lot of taxi company's are actually "owned" by gangster etc, although their name may not be above the door, they are behind it and because it is a cash buiness can use it for money laundering etc.

Now as I say I was thinking about buying a plate and renting it out to someone who wants to be their own boss and have a taxi on the road but maybe cant afford or has no desire to buy a plate. This apprealed to me as there are no maintenance fees etc and much less hassle than having an actual taxi on the road. The main thing that has put me off is that i've heard although you have paid 20 grand for the plate, technically you dont actually own it, you have been "issued" it from the council and it can be taken off you at anytime for whatever reason. i.e. say you were involved in a road traffic accident and done for dangerous driving, this would be you now with a criminal record and as such could be deemed not to be a "fit and proper person". As a result your plate which you have paid 20 grand for can be taken off you. As i said they are not supposed to have any monetry value but to get one you had to hand over the cash.

Sorry for making this so long but I was just wondering if anyone can inform me if i am wrong about any of these things or possibly all of them just so that I could make an informed decision about this. I am also trying to bear in mind that it is unlikely I would have the plate taken off me and even if I did, as long as I got 4 or 5 years out of it then it wouldnt actually cost me anything. I was also thinking about putting it in my mothers name but then an accident and resultant charges/convictions can happen to anyone. Any advice on any of these things would be much appreciated, and again sorry if i've bored you all
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20th December 2008, 12:36
I'm really getting into this forum.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 143
Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts
Funnily enough you and I are in almost the same position (in terms of age and proposed occupation) albeit I'm going it on my own.

I am familiar with the system you refer to, and you can still turn a handsome profit from it but I'd rather be building up my own little brand to be honest. The plate system, well yeah local councils being corrupt on the matter is no big suprise to me.

I am deciding wether to go down the 5 year HP route or save a bit more and buy a much more modestly priced model that has higher running costs. To turn a nice £££ you need two on the road, one being an MPV.
__________________
There is no traffic on the extra mile!

Last edited by Lord Harris; 20th December 2008 at 12:43.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20th December 2008, 14:39
Burden's Avatar
There are concerns over my Forum/Life balance.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,166
Thanked 233 Times in 203 Posts
Ive worked in 2 different taxi companies and family own another.

You will find it very hard to rent a plate unless in London or another high price area rather than a local town and council for £100.

The drivers who cant afford can ALL afford a plate but not the full package. They want a Good Running Car / Plate / Radio all ready to go. Around my area thats £110-150 for a week usually. You can bet your arse you will be dragged out of bed at 3am when the car breaks down and the drivers wants a new one or wont pay the money for the package. Bearing in mind if its with a company you take the radio out you will be liable to pay the radio regardless which is discounted the more you think through.

But yea i doubt you'd get £100 a week just for a plate.
__________________

Burden Music
Rehearsal & Tuition / Gig Supplies
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20th December 2008, 16:48
Magsite's Avatar
I am part of the furniture here.
...UK Business Forums Full Member...
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,297
Thanked 30 Times in 27 Posts
As a side line but still inline with taxi's, has anyone tried selling/buying advertising on a Taxi? Not sure how much a person would charge, any idea's to say, have the rear of the car where you can add info like a domain name?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20th December 2008, 17:48
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Harris View Post
Funnily enough you and I are in almost the same position (in terms of age and proposed occupation) albeit I'm going it on my own.

I am familiar with the system you refer to, and you can still turn a handsome profit from it but I'd rather be building up my own little brand to be honest. The plate system, well yeah local councils being corrupt on the matter is no big suprise to me.

I am deciding wether to go down the 5 year HP route or save a bit more and buy a much more modestly priced model that has higher running costs. To turn a nice £££ you need two on the road, one being an MPV.

Thanks for your reply m8, yeah I heard that soon its going to be a requirement for taxi companies (although not necessarily taxi owners) to have a certain amount of their cars to be MPV's that can transport disabled people. What I mean by that is if you have a plate/car package and go with "xyz taxi's ltd" for the radio package etc then that company must have a certain per centage of their cars being mpv's.

I think you have to be careful what you buy as I know some people get 6 seaters and some get 8 seaters. I think there is a substantial difference in running costs.

It would be great to have a distant relative in the council licensing department who "seen the need" for a few more plates and as if by magic the were issued to us lol. It seems to be another one of those enterprises where it is a case of who you know rather than what you know.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20th December 2008, 19:09
Burden's Avatar
There are concerns over my Forum/Life balance.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,166
Thanked 233 Times in 203 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peterpaul View Post
I think you have to be careful what you buy as I know some people get 6 seaters and some get 8 seaters. I think there is a substantial difference in running costs.
This is only so true and can cause some problems.

- People sometimes think.. well its Fare + Half for People Carrier (5+ Seats) so it works out on the running costs. But if your with a standard company you will do hires for normal cars at normal fare then when a job for 5+ seater is phoned in you will do it. Another thing you need to factor in is dead time / no hire / running for people carrier jobs etc.
__________________

Burden Music
Rehearsal & Tuition / Gig Supplies
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20th December 2008, 19:13
I'm really getting into this forum.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 143
Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts
Does anyone know the credit situation with hire purchase at the moment?

I have a good credit rating but I'd bee suprised if they haven't upped the lending cirteria?
__________________
There is no traffic on the extra mile!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20th December 2008, 19:50
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by i234i View Post

- People sometimes think.. well its Fare + Half for People Carrier (5+ Seats) so it works out on the running costs. But if your with a standard company you will do hires for normal cars at normal fare then when a job for 5+ seater is phoned in you will do it. Another thing you need to factor in is dead time / no hire / running for people carrier jobs etc.
Yeah thats sort of what I meant (sorry should have been clearer lol) i.e. an 8 seater can be quite a lot more to run per mile than a 6 seater which in turn is more expensive to run that a saloon car. And at the end of the month it may work out that you have made less with the MPV than you would have with just a saloon car. most of the taxi company's in scotland use skoda octavias, I think if you have a few cars on the road and have a 6 seater or 8 seater that is reasonable on fuel then it will come into its own if you can manage to get a lot of private bookings etc for example taking people to night outs and then picking them up again as you can charge extra but per person it will work out cheaper or the same for the fare. I also heard that some taxi company's can get contracts with hospitals to take things like files etc to other hospitals but im not sure if thats true as surely it would pose security/data protection issues? if it is I cant see it lasting as surely they could email them or something?

As I said I'm thinking of going down the plate route as its less hassle, but if I did get a taxi(s) on the road myself I think i'd stay away from the people carriers unless the company I was with were subsidising me in some way, but thats just me.

The whole thing gets confusing as there are taxis and then there are private hire cars and although i know what the difference is (private hire cannot be flagged down or sit at ranks, it has to be pre-booked or phoned) I dont know how much private hire plates change hands for I've been told alsorts of figures by different people and someone even told me that you just apply to the council and as long as you're not a criminal and your car is suitable then you just pay a leasing fee to the council providing they do not deem there are too many on the area already. But i've never heard of anyone renting out a private hire plate but the plates that everyone rents out is the taxi plate which is usually around the 20 grand mark.

Last edited by Peterpaul; 20th December 2008 at 19:55.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29th July 2009, 11:43
I'm just testing the water here.
UK Business Forums Free Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hi, I am a taxi owner operator, trainer and assessor in the industry. I just thought I would offer some realism to the forum. You need to check if your licensing authority is deregulated. If it is, then you dont have to buy an existing plate, the council will have to issue you with one if both you and your vehicle are compliant with the licensing regulations. The vehicle will have to be tested, be compliant and you will have to hold a valid hackney or private hire licence for that area. In my area (which is deregulated) new operators can only put on a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Theres a difference between wheelchair accessible and MPV. Also to be able to put it in your mothers name, she will also have to be a licenced driver for that authority. I would advise you to lease a car before you buy as the cost of running your own taxi can be huge. Insurance, tax, mot, licence fees, breakdowns, servicing and repairs. The general public seem to think that taxi drivers earn lots of money because they get in, go a few mile down the road and hand over a tenner. They think,'he must be earning a fortune' what they dont realise is that youve been sitting on the rank for an hour and a half and you will go back and sit there again for an hour or so and get a job for 3 or 4 pounds. you work it out, because thats the reality. The deregulation of taxis in this country has allowed so many to be licenced that drivers have been reduced to earning less than the minimum wage. My income after expenses last year was zero. Most of the drivers I know are claiming some kind of benefits and those that dont, are working a very unhealthy 90 hours a week to pay the mortgage. Im sorry but that really is the reality.