Take Me has strengthened its presence in the Midlands with the acquisition of Nuneaton-based Direct Taxis. This strategic acquisition adds a further 80 cars to the fast-growing Take Me national fleet. Under the deal, Direct Taxis will work closely with the Solihull-based arm of…
Read MoreUber has restarted launches in UK towns and cities following the collapse of the Local Car scheme late last year. The ride-hailing giant has announced plans to launch in Swansea, south Wales, and Stockton, north-east England. Uber said there was high demand for the…
Read MoreVeezu has made another major acquisition with the purchase of Portsmouth-based private hire giant Aqua Cars. The move is Veezu’s first move on to the South Coast, and represents the biggest deal for the fast-growing group since it bought Sheffield-based City Taxis and Britannia…
Read MoreFast-growing chauffeur operator Chabé has acquired Farnborough-based Limo Plus. It is the first acquisition that Chabé has made in Britain since the Paris-based company set up its UK subsidiary in 2020. Limo Plus serves a similar portfolio of high-end clients to Chabé – and…
Read MoreSingapore-based transport giant ComfortDelGro has acquired ground transport management specialist CMAC Group for £80 million. The deal has been done through ComfortDelGro’s wholly-owned subsidiary CityFleet Networks, and is expected to drive CMAC’s expansion into mainland Europe. As well as the UK, CMAC has operations…
Read MoreThe LPHCA has written to TfL Director of Licensing Helen Chapman (pictured), demanding an urgent meeting over “unacceptable” new signage requirements and complaints procedures for all private hire vehicles, due to come into force next July. The new signage rules could see vehicles –…
Read MoreBolt has won its appeal against HMRC over whether private hire operators are eligible to use the Tour Operator Margin Scheme (TOMS), which reduces liability for VAT to the margin of a trip rather than the full fare. The ruling is a major victory…
Read MoreThe trade union that won landmark employment rulings against Uber has been plunged into chaos after an internal report highlighted multiple cases of abusive and racist behaviour within the organisation. The report has resulted in the resignation of App Drivers and Couriers Union founder…
Read MoreCurtis Gabriel, the digital marketing business that specialised in running private hire operators’ social media accounts, has gone into administration. Insolvency practitioners Steven Ross and Allan Kelly, both of FRP Advisory Trading Limited, were appointed administrators in the High Court of Justice Business and…
Read MoreUber’s surprising decision to try and add London black cabs to its ride-hailing app has met with a negative response from the taxi drivers’ trade association. Uber said it was opening the platform to taxi drivers, with the intention of starting services in early…
Read MoreKarhoo is integrating the FreeNow mobility app into its platform under a new pan-European partnership. The alliance aims to make private and business travel seamless by improving the accessibility of ride-hailing services. Under the deal, Karhoo will integrate FreeNow’s taxi and private-hire vehicle supply…
Read MoreAddison Lee has rowed back on its pledge to have an all-electric fleet by 2025, and instead has announced a major order for plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Multivan people carriers. The company cites a lack of availability of suitable EV models, particularly 7-seaters, and ongoing…
Read MoreChancellor Jeremy Hunt used the Autumn Statement to launch a consultation into whether private hire operators should charge VAT on fares. The consultation, which follows the recent Sefton High Court ruling, will be launched in the first half of 2024. The Autumn Statement said:…
Read MoreUber has taken the surprise decision to close its Local Cab service in the UK – though it plans to expand the service internationally. An Uber spokesperson said: “Following a review we have decided to discontinue the Local Cab service in the UK, meaning…
Read MoreLondon customers can now schedule a journey with ride-hailing platform Bolt up to three days in advance, addressing one of the major weaknesses of ride-hailing platforms. Drivers will wait for five minutes free of charge after they arrive, and the price is locked in…
Read MoreToyota has changed its mind about launching the new Prius in the UK, and the car is now set to go on sale next year. Earlier, Toyota had killed off the hybrid model in the UK, citing tumbling sales and a switch to SUVs,…
Read MoreNottingham-based DG Group has expanded into southern England with the strategic acquisition of Worthing-based Arrow Taxi Group. The company, which is unrelated to Leeds-based Arrow Cars, is a family-run business which has been under the same ownership for the past 29 years. The deal…
Read MoreVeezu has won approval from Cardiff City Council to display its branding on its cars in the city, despite the concerns of local rivals. The Newport-based private hire giant was granted an exemption from a licensing condition that restricts the size of the logo…
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