Taxicab Business and Operations
Nissan's 2014 NV200 Taxi is the New York City "Taxi of Tomorrow"
Featured items
Download this Taxicab Rate-of-Fare Calculator, an Excel XLS worksheet that allows easy comparison of two taxicab rates of fare. The worksheet opens with Microsoft's Excel or with the free Gnumeric program.
The Taxi News offers frequent updates on taxi issues worldwide. Highly recommended.
A manager's first line of defense against high-risk drivers is the driving history. How to Read a Driver License Print-Out.
A perfect print-out
Managing in the Aftermath of Disaster: What do you do when tragedy strikes and the phone is ringing off the hook? Read this thought-provoking account of what may be expected of a manager in times of crisis. Diamond Taxicab Dispatch Services general manager Jim Bell recounts the events following the death of driver Tahir Khan in a Toronto car wreck that captured the attention of the national media.
Ford Transit Connect Taxi at the NYC Auto Show, March 2008
Vehicles
The US-made MV-1 by The Vehicle Production Group LLC is the first purpose-built US taxicab since the Checker. It is wheelchair accessible and is available for use with either CNG or gasoline.
Ford taxi fleet sales for 2011 Crown Victoria taxicabs with the long-wheelbase option
London Taxis International, maker of the world-famous London cabs
London Fleet sells, finances and places wrap advertising on London cabs throughout the U.S.
The TX1 London Taxi, by London Taxi International, announced 10 October 1997
KPM-UK Taxis, home of the only independent franchised LTI dealer in London for the TX4
TX4 London cab by London Taxis International
Mann and Overton, LTI dealer buys and sells new and used London cabs
Ascott Cab Company and Sales of London
Surge Checker Cabs
MetroKing Accessible Taxicab by Alternative Fuels Technologies Corp.
Interior passenger seating of the Euro 5 Vito Taxi from Mercedes-Benz
Taxi 2000, a personal rapid transit system of computer-controlled, three-passenger vehicles.
Freedom Motors, makers of TaxiPlus accessible minivans.
Activan, Ricon Group, source of accessible taxicabs.
Savaria produces rear, side and dual entry wheelchair accessible taxicabs.
CabDirect, UK new and used taxi sales
Ray Tomkinson, UK supplier of special and historic taxicabs for weddings, films and special events
The London Cab Company Ltd supplies London Taxis for use as action, stunt and prop vehicles for TV, movie, advertising and promotional videos.
Elite London taxis, London taxis for Export and Sale
Fowlers Motors UK car dealer specializing in taxis from various auto manufacturers
The Taxi Centre Glasgow taxi dealership
Taxi-Mart UK site offers used taxis and parts for sale, has a drivers' forum
Cabs seeking fares on the Internet
This section showcases a handful of websites that illustrate how a taxi company can use the Internet to improve service, make a good impression, and bring in new business. See also the Advertising Services section further down this page.
Dial-a-Cab in London is a stellar example of online-taxi done right. The firm presents itself professionally to the business customers who make up its large base of accounts. The pages are full of substantive content that speak directly to customer needs. Corporate customers have access to proprietary booking software for placing orders directly with the fleet of over 2500 computer-dispatched cabs.
Radio Taxis Group, also in London, employs an eye-catching design that draws visitors into its site. In seconds you see how to order a cab, a limo or a bus.
TaxiMagic appeals to tech-savvy business travelers. Its clean, functional site uses video and sound to sell the service. Customers book online with TaxiMagic, then the orders are fed directly into the computerized dispatch systems of affiliated transport providers.
United Cabs of New Orleans is another site that uses streaming video and sound to good effect. In less than a minute, you feel like you know these folks.
Wedding Taxis presents its unique service, London cabs for special events. Customers can choose the specific vehicle they want. The site is a little heavy on the color pink, but I have no doubt that it brings in plenty of customers at a high hourly rate.
Insurance and risk reduction
Aequicap TaxiPro insurance services available in 18 states of the US
New America Insurance, taxi policies for Ohio, West Virginia, Idaho and Oregon
Research Underwriters insurance for the public transportation industry
Gateway Insurance for the transportation industry
Essex Insurance auto liability for taxicabs in most US states
ABI Business Insurance Services transportation insurance in most US states
Lighthouse Insurance for the transportation industry
American Country Insurance Company passenger transportation insurance
John Burnham Insurance Services for the transportation industry
Professional Insurance Center for taxicabs
In-cab signage can reduce risk
Quotax Insurance Services for UK taxi operators.
Quotiva Network uses an online form to match British taxi drivers with insurance brokers.
Online UK quote facility of ChoiceQuote Insurance Services for taxi insurance.
Metcalf Insurance Services in the UK also offers Ten Ways To Get Cheaper Taxi Insurance
Wilson Insurance Group through QuoteLineDirect, UK
Penk Taxi Insurance for operators in the UK
J&M Insurance Agency offers insurance for all private and public hire business including minicabs, black cabs, taxi fleets, chauffeur vehicles and minibuses
CabQuote taxi insurance in the UK
Headley Insurance taxi insurance in the UK
Milestone Insurance Consultants insures taxis and for-hire vehicles in the UK
A19 Insurance taxi insurance in the UK
InsureTaxi.com taxi insurance in the UK
Sakza Insurance brokers, taxi insurance in the UK
Seatbelt reminder from the City of Auburn in New South Wales
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, crash tests and ratings
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the US Department of Transportation, including crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review of rear end collision fires in Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car vehicles, completed October 2002.
Ford Motor Company's defense of Crown Victoria Police Interceptor safety in rear end collisions (1.8 mb PDF file)
The Center for Auto Safety, documentation on specific vehicle models
National Institute for Driver Behavior, a nonprofit 501c organization dedicated to the premise that education is an essential component in the formula for crash reduction
SafeCarGuide.com including International Injury and Fatality Statistics
Other professional services
Total Contract Solutions, Inc. provides consulting, contracting and training expertise for the passenger ground transportation industry, public and private / for-hire.
Petrofix offers plans to hedge fuel prices for large and small consumers
Medallion Financial Group, taxi medallion and small business lender
MVA Group, multi-disciplinary international consultancy specialising in transport planning, social and market research and related information services, UK
Master Cabbie school in New York City describes itself as the largest taxi driver training center in the world.
UK Taxi Directory, an all round directory service for taxi, hackney carriage and private hire drivers in the UK, and London Taxi Directory focusing on the London taxi trade
Managing the Momentum of City Nightlife, November 2005 press release announcing a joint project of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) to promote late-night traffic safety in three cities: Boulder, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; and Norfolk, Virginia.
Cab Millionaire Club Letter offers a newsletter on making a cab business more profitable
Technology
Taxi Magic is a cab booking service by Ride Charge. Customers place orders on smart phones and the orders go directly into the computerized dispatch systems of partner cab companies.
Cabulous is a cab hailing service that allows customers to see and hail participating cabs displayed on a smart phone map.
TaxiCaller allows a customer to hail a cab directly off a smart phone map by clicking on a vehicle.
TaxiMap is a plug-in for UK minicab websites. It lets customers calculate journey prices and make bookings online.
vWorkApp is job dispatching SaaS (Software as a Service) and a smartphone application.
The artfully-done website and blog of Taxidepot in Long Island City offers a wide range of modern taxi equipment and accessories. See also the photos of a restored 1924 Ohmer taximeter.
TaxicabElectronics.com and American Taximeters and Communications and Andy's Toplights and Accessories each offer a broad selection of taxi equipment.
Verifone in-cab transportation system for taxicabs
Centrodyne taximeters and related equipment
Pulsar taximeters and related equipment
Taxitronic taximeters and related equipment
Gleike, Inc. taximeters and related equipment
Digitax Meters for the London cab trade
Cygnus Taximeters for the London cab trade
Aquila Electronics, Ltd., meters for the UK taxi trade
Overview of Computerized Dispatching, article by Don McCurdy.
Nextdayfunding.com wireless credit/debit card processing.
CabCharge international taxi charge-account system.
Cecam Consultancy of Aukland, software and electronic hardware for taxi dispatch, including the ARTEDATA system.
Mobile Knowledge data terminal
Mobile Knowledge US data dispatch, computer-aided voice and passenger information monitors for taxis and private hire vehicles.
TaxiSystem, Stockholm-based provider of a booking, administration and GPS-navigation system for taxis
Unified Dispatch Unibook platform UniBook allows riders to order transportation services through an automated telephone interface.
Auriga, computer systems to the taxi and private hire industry
TaxiCentral dispatch and related software for the taxi industry
Infowave, a Singapore-based company offers wireless and mobile computing products
Mobile Knowledge taxi dispatch and location technology
Taxi Dispatch Express offers a new form of MDT hardware that is ultra portable, and digital dispatch software
An electronic taximeter and mobile data terminal.
MobileSoft taxi dispatch systems
APP Technologies business software for transportation companies
Cordic Ltd., provider of taxi data dispatch systems
Digital Dispatch Systems of Vancouver, Canada
SigTec, mobile dispatch and vehicle location systems and equipment
Many taxi companies are small businesses.
Safety equipment and services
Taxicab Products, NYC manufacturer of taxicab partitions and other safety equipment, as well as theft prevention hardware.
Taxidepot in Long Island City offers taxicab partitions and security cameras.
Safe America Products, NYC manufacturer of taxi partitions, and front and rear bumper guards
Taxi Shields by Okan Industries in Ontario, Canada
Lascoe International, advanced automotive security systems
Custom Plastics Creations has developed a shield for taxis in Winnipeg, Manitoba
The iDrive Vehicle Monitoring System incudes HD video, GPS and other features for safety and risk reduction.
Janus 3rd Eye video system for crime and accident prevention includes both forward- and rear-facing cameras
iCar dual camera taxi security system with built-in DVR, GPS, and Wi-Fi.
DriveCam video system for crime and accident prevention
VerifEye in-vehicle digital taxicams and surveillance video cameras.
SigTec taxi security camera system offers inside and exterior cameras, and real-time 2-way radio transmitting of images.
WIT-Software, Lda. of Portugal offers TaxiAlert, a panic button system that sends GPS coordinates to a server installed in a police station. The police can then make a voice call to the taxi to hear sound from inside the taxi, without an attacker knowing it. The system is currently installed in Lisbon and is being deployed in Oporto.
An expatriate FX3 London cab used by a gift delivery service in Winnipeg. 1994 photo courtesy of Norman Beattie.
Advertising services for the taxi industry
AddyCab, Liverpool taxi advertising.
Taxi Media, UK taxi advertising.
Verifone taxi advertising.
Clear Channel Outdoor, UK taxi advertising.
TaxiNumbers.com, UK directory with over 13,000 taxi companies, firms and cabs.
Taxi Trade Websites designs websites for the taxi industry
Taxi Advantage, websites for UK taxi and airport transfer services
HitchHiker Ads, bumper-mounted holders for advertising
HubAds, advertising placed on vehicle hub caps
Glasgow Taxi Advertising, Scotland, UK
1968 ad for Checker Diesels
Cabtivate, narrowcast digital screen networks, private television channels and out-of-home TV offers passenger information, advertising, entertainment and CCTV security on buses, trains and taxis.
Taxi Advertising, full body taxi advertising, by Andrew Westbrook, London, England
Infotaxi.org, search function provides phone numbers for cab companies worldwide
TaxiGrab service forwards reservations to cab companies
1-800-TAXICAB, a single-number cab call service for North America
416-taxicab.com Toronto single-phone-number service for taxis
Australia's Taxi Network, a one-number taxi connection to 300 taxi services.
Holiday Taxis UK based booking service for taxis, sedans, etc. operating in 17 countries
TaxiRoute Taxi Fare Calculator, UK service gives fare quotes, directs customers to listed cab firms
A good ad can make a lasting impression.
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