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Hi All, I've just been surfing the web looking for info on taxiing and came across this forum.

I was wondering if I can get some help and advice if possible?

Right, here goes. 

Where I'm from it's a struggle getting local taxis, especially on a weekend.  The nearest base you can get one from is around 5 to 10 miles away.  Which I think reflects in the prices they charge.

So, there is obviously a gap in the market for a taxi company.  Now I've just expanded my day to day business and moved into bigger premises and now have my own carpark.  There's a portacabin at the side of my building that is in need of slight repairs.  The owner of the land doesn't want to get rid of it and at the same time can't be bothered to do anything with it.  So he said I can take it on.

So I thought as there's a lack of taxis and I have the facilities I might consider setting up a taxi base.

I've spent the last few weeks researching into what is needed, but there are a few things that are not clear.

1)I know you need to do a test and have a medical and apply for your license, but can someone give me a break down of everything needed.

2)Do you have to have a taxi license to set up a base or can you just apply for an operators license?

3)Who sets the fares for private hire, cause I can't find anything regarding how much per mile?

As well as wanting to start a taxi business up from scratch a big part of it is to supply a service to the area.  So please don't think I'm jumping in at the deep end and just trying to make a quick buck, I am really serious about this.

Cheers Mark

hi mark, also consider the point if the work is there and plentyfull you will also need drivers or are you gona be a one man band, your local council will tell you the tarrifs for your area  and whats required of you whats the contracts like at the local supermarkets, night clubs , travel shops , etc, do your home work before you  commit to anything, also think about what your going into, i started 10 years ago  on my own and its a 24 hour job mate that takes 100 per cent commitment to succeed, good luck if i can help further dont hesitate to contact  me e mail on my profi          le                       regards  fox,, glenn    bulcock                                                                                                                                                                            

Thanks for your replies.

I'm not one to jump into things, I do like to do my homework and get all the necessary facts together first.  I'm not planning on working solely on my own.  I was thinking more along the lines of myself to set up the operators part and sub the jobs out.  But thats something I'm not entirely sure on how it would work.  I know of some firms hire their cars to drivers. I was speaking to a driver a while ago and he said he had to work monday to wednesday to pay for the hire of his car and then the rest was his wage.  I was thinking more along the lines of like when a hairdressers rents out a chair to a stylist.  I could rent a position (if that makes sense) Or am I just living in cuckoo land?

Hi Pachman.

Not trying to put a damper on things but I feel you are really jumping in at the deep end here.

Bandit is quite right in what he says... "Taxis is a strange and complex business, and as the wise fox has advised its something that takes time, courage and commitment to keep the thing running in profit".

Given you know very little about the trade I think you might struggle, starting a taxi business is easy but keeping it going and making a profit ain't and I have seen many people with years of experience driving taxis come to grief trying to run their own company.

I wish you luck if you decide to go for it, but why not start by just driving your self before taking on drivers.....a sort of apprenticeship?

Err....sorry meant Packman

Just to add to the above.....if you start-up with no "hands on" experience of the trade and take on drivers they will run fu*kin rings around you old son!

Hi mark,

The first thing to do is get your CRB aplication off, as that can take months to come back 

HI,

I have just renewed my license for my 2nd year.  At the moment I just work for myself but am looking to join forces with another operator/sole trader and get bigger next year. 

I planned on doing it this way, to see if I could survive on my own for a year.

Hopper is right by telling you to send your CRB check off.. mine took 3 months.  The medical is a breeze but expect to pay for it.  Also you need to swot up on your local area and it doesnt hurt to have a drive round your local area working out the shortest distances from A to B.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Kitty