Having the right tools for the job is essential in any industry and for taxi drivers, it can be the difference between an enjoyable life on the road and a miserable struggle to make ends meet.
We are all continuing to feel the pinch amid the cost-of-living crisis and it is no different for those running private hire taxis.
Anyone who drives for a living has faced soaring prices at the pumps, especially as a result of the war in Ukraine. And those who have made the switch to EVs have also been hit by rocketing energy bills.
Numerous tips and hacks have been suggested to try to save a bit here and there, but for private hire taxi drivers, choosing the right vehicle is where they will make their biggest saving.
Whether their vehicle is petrol, diesel or electric, the goal is getting as many miles to the pound as possible. There are a few tips such as reducing weight, keeping tyres inflated to the correct pressure and regular servicing which will help improve miles per gallon or charge.
But the only way to make a significant difference to fuel economy is to upgrade their private hire vehicle to a more modern and economical one. Patons Taxi Sales offers competitive deals on a wide range of new and used saloon cars, hybrids, seven and nine-seater vehicles from leading manufacturers to the taxi and private hire fleet.
We have more than 40 makes and models carefully chosen to meet the needs of the taxi fleet. As well as giving drivers what they need to do their everyday job, reliability, running costs and the price of maintenance and repairs are also important factors we consider. Call 0141 553 4000, email info@patonstaxis.co.uk or visit https://www.patonstaxis.co.uk/ to find out more.
Having a vehicle that meets their needs is the most important step for a private hire driver. As well as affordability, this will determine the level of private hire insurance they need to take out. Insurers consider taxi drivers to be higher risk because they spend more time on the road, but by shopping around and using an insurance broker such as Patons, drivers can save money on their renewals while making sure the policy meets their needs.
The third tip for saving your private hire business money is reducing ‘dead miles’. This is the distance drivers have to travel between fares. As well as costing drivers money and wear and tear on their vehicles, as Motor Trade News points out, the longer it takes to reach a fare, the more likely they are to have found an alternative and the job becomes a no-show, leaving the driver further out of pocket.
The advice instead is that after dropping off a passenger, a driver should move to a convenient and nearby location to wait for the next fare that becomes available in the area. That way they aren’t wasting fuel while they are looking for business which may not appear.
The key to saving private hire taxi businesses money is to invest in the right vehicle that will do what drivers need it to do, while being reliable and affordable.
This helps them create an enjoyable experience for passengers who are more likely to book them again in future, helping boost their private hire business further.
