Taxi Driving Prospects

Volvoboy

I've been driving a taxi for the last few years now and the old ways of doing business (waiting at ranks and crusing in hope of a hail) isnt working anymore, i joined a cab firm there not so long ago for the cost of €90 a week in the end it didnt last, it was costing me money to have it in the taxi so i quickly got shot of it.

Basically i was considering of printing a few business cards offering no call out charge (€2) the same on a few flyers i was going to leave in letterboxes.

Also i was going to advertise in the local free newspapers?


What ya think?

Any help apreciated.

As a taxi drivers partner, I can agree with you in decrease of business. However, he does ok, because he keeps the car spotless, wears a suit, shirt and tie every day to work. He has picked up a lot of business clients, who after using him the first time was impressed, this is how he is buliding up business.His appearance is very importance to him and his business. People notice and appreciate that he has a clean car and has showered that day. He also drives the odd 'Celeb ' around aswell, and they trust him, and use him again and again TG. Word of mouth is sooo important.

Sometimes the business cards can be a waste of money, as people do throw them away, but do offer to give them your number, but also recomend they just put your number into their mobile. That way you can be sure they have it:).

You could try a small run of leaflets maybe and see how they do.
Again, people just throw these away. I know I hate junkmail coming in the door, and usually only glance before binning it

Volvoboy

Jake1 wrote: »

As a taxi drivers partner, I can agree with you in decrease of business. However, he does ok, because he keeps the car spotless, wears a suit, shirt and tie every day to work. He has picked up a lot of business clients, who after using him the first time was impressed, this is how he is buliding up business.His appearance is very importance to him and his business. People notice and appreciate that he has a clean car and has showered that day. He also drives the odd 'Celeb ' around aswell, and they trust him, and use him again and again TG. Word of mouth is sooo important.

Sometimes the business cards can be a waste of money, as people do throw them away, but do offer to give them your number, but also recomend they just put your number into their mobile. That way you can be sure they have it:).

You could try a small run of leaflets maybe and see how they do.
Again, people just throw these away. I know I hate junkmail coming in the door, and usually only glance before binning it

Interesting, i do keep the car clean and i always shower and shave before i work, however i should really dress neater (hoodie jeans and runners) are my current uniform:o

Volvoboy

Volvoboy wrote: »

Interesting, i do keep the car clean and i always shower and shave before i work, however i should really dress neater (hoodie jeans and runners) are my current uniform:o

Oh god, Im so sorry, I wasnt implying you clean. Really.:o

Volvoboy

Jake1 wrote: »

Oh god, Im so sorry, I wasnt implying you clean. Really.:o

:pac: i know but i should really dress a bit neater.

mikemac

OP, go with the business card idea, I'd use it.

At ranks, I don't go to the second car as I've gotten hassle from drivers over the "unwritten rule"
And I just can't face into this hassle after a long day in work
But I have avoided the battered 1995 Toyota with one broken light who was first in the queue. Thankfully no shortage of taxis where I am. So I stroll to the next rank or flag down a semi-decent taxi.

If I had your card, I'd use you 3-4 times a week for work, maybe 45 euro in fares.

Also, this fare card idea isn't new but you know this. The local taxi firm dropped in a booklet of "no call fee" vouchers to my post box the last week. I'll be using them tomorrow morning to get me to a train station

Volvoboy

mikemac wrote: »

OP, go with the business card idea, I'd use it.

At ranks, I don't go to the second car as I've gotten hassle from drivers over the "unwritten rule"
And I just can't face into this hassle after a long day in work
But I have avoided the battered 1995 Toyota with one broken light who was first in the queue. Thankfully no shortage of taxis where I am. So I stroll to the next rank or flag down a semi-decent taxi.

If I had your card, I'd use you 3-4 times a week for work, maybe 45 euro in fares.

Also, this fare card idea isn't new but you know this. The local taxi firm dropped in a booklet of "no call fee" vouchers to my post box the last week. I'll be using them tomorrow morning to get me to a train station

Thanks for the input, i really do think a clean car and a friendly face is important

Try wearing a suit for a week, see how you feel, and is there an increase in business, nothing to lose by giving it a shot. People would be more likely to ask for your business if you wore a suit, they wont call a guy in jeans runners and a hoody to drop them to Wedding, Interview, Races...
Also, hotels tend to use the guys who look porfessional, ie suit and tie, in turn, this can lead to an increase in business, they dont want you in the lobby of a good hotel in jeans.Tough but true.

Volvoboy

Jake1 wrote: »

Try wearing a suit for a week, see how you feel, and is there an increase in business, nothing to lose by giving it a shot. People would be more likely to ask for your business if you wore a suit, they wont call a guy in jeans runners and a hoody to drop them to Wedding, Interview, Races...
Also, hotels tend to use the guys who look porfessional, ie suit and tie, in turn, this can lead to an increase in business, they dont want you in the lobby of a good hotel in jeans.Tough but true.

I'll give it a shot maybe not the full suit but defo a nice shirt and trousers

mikemac

What car have you?
Or does Volvoboy give it away?

I do know yeaaaaars ago getting a taxi from Galway airport which is nowhere near the city and no public transport at all!
The guy had a fantastic Mercedes and had a business card and did a lot of wedding work.
Might work for you.

http://www.weddingsonline.ie/
This is the main wedding site in Ireland, I know this as I helped my sister do research for deals last year.

And I posted it in that monster (wreck) of thread in commuting forum but if you can get yourself known by a hotel as being reliable and always doing a great service, you can get first call on all business. That's a lot of jobs to keep you busy.

In Belfast the main company Value Cabs charge a premium rate to have drivers in top cars and smartly dressed. It must work for them as they advertise it as an extra service.
Now you do this in ROI as part of your service and you're one up on your comrades who sit on a rank and wait for fares.
Go to your local hotel and introduces yourself to the duty manager.
I've worked as a night porter and taken abuse from staff on cabs showing up late. If you gave a good service consistently, the night staff will call you. And the receptionists in the day will call you. Less work and abuse for the hotel staff, more work for you.

We have national radio cabs in our workplace we have an account. And daily, we book a fare for a client and have the driver call for directions on their way here. Directions? We have an account and you don't know where we are? Poor show

Volvoboy

Volvoboy wrote: »

I'll give it a shot maybe not the full suit but defo a nice shirt and trousers

Let us know how you get on:)

Volvoboy

mikemac wrote: »

What car have you?
Or does Volvoboy give it away?

I do know yeaaaaars ago getting a taxi from Galway airport which is nowhere near the city and no public transport at all!
The guy had a fantastic Mercedes and had a business card and did a lot of wedding work.
Might work for you.

http://www.weddingsonline.ie/
This is the main wedding site in Ireland, I know this as I helped my sister do research for deals last year.

And I posted it in that monster (wreck) of thread in commuting forum but if you can get yourself known by a hotel as being reliable and always doing a great service, you can get first call on all business. That's a lot of jobs to keep you busy

I drive a ''Old'' 1996 Toyota Carina but i keep it in mint condition, but if i'm to be taken seriously i otta upgrade the auld bus, but i'm a little far away from that yet, im not to taken with the whole Limo / Wedding work, the main point of this is exploring diffrent avenues of work.

I worked the night shift, in full makeup . I figured, id try to look my best going to a day shift, so I should try do my best doing night shift.

You could also try getting involved with a charity. Say, if you hear a local charity is having a Day, a fundraiser, or whatever, offer a lift for someone, they'll remember your kindness. They often have celebrites in town, who they need driven around.

If I think of anything else, Ill get back to you. Best of luck.

Volvoboy

Jake1 wrote: »

You could also try getting involved with a charity. Say, if you hear a local charity is having a Day, a fundraiser, or whatever, offer a lift for someone, they'll remember your kindness. They often have celebrites in town, who they need driven around.

If I think of anything else, Ill get back to you. Best of luck.

Thanks for your help.

bigbadben

Volvoboy wrote: »

I drive a ''Old'' 1996 Toyota Carina but i keep it in mint condition, but if i'm to be taken seriously i otta upgrade the auld bus, but i'm a little far away from that yet, im not to taken with the whole Limo / Wedding work, the main point of this is exploring diffrent avenues of work.

Yeah the full suit thing might look out of place in that (I drive a 98 almera so not knocking) but I would go with a shirt(properly ironed) and some slacks.

Have you thought about having a "no extra charges" sign/policy , might be a plus if you're hoping to get the hotel business.I had a 12 euro taxi fare to the airport last year and there were 6 euros added on for extra's, never used that firm again.

What i want from a taxi is: price,punctuality and cleaniness. What drive's me nuts is when you ring and are told "a few minutes" and its twenty five. How about doing a flyer drop declaring that if you're five minutes late the fare is half price.Just a thought.

I know you said you're not thinking of upgrading but it really is a great time to buy a car, some of the deals the garages are offering are very tasty.

Volvoboy

bigbadben wrote: »

Yeah the full suit thing might look out of place in that (I drive a 98 almera so not knocking) but I would go with a shirt(properly ironed) and some slacks.

Have you thought about having a "no extra charges" sign/policy , might be a plus if you're hoping to get the hotel business.I had a 12 euro taxi fare to the airport last year and there were 6 euros added on for extra's, never used that firm again.

What i want from a taxi is: price,punctuality and cleaniness. What drive's me nuts is when you ring and are told "a few minutes" and its twenty five. How about doing a flyer drop declaring that if you're five minutes late the fare is half price.Just a thought.

I know you said you're not thinking of upgrading but it really is a great time to buy a car, some of the deals the garages are offering are very tasty.

I was considering putting ''no call out charge'' on the leaflets.