We often hear about areas being saturated with taxis and drivers struggling to make ends meet, so it is good to see a taxi start-up business which found a gap in the market that is not only thriving, but looking to expand.
Tap A Taxi was launched in Carlisle in May, 2024, and has now has 18,000 members and 40 drivers. It provides Hackney Carriages, which have public hire insurance and can be hailed in the street or at a taxi rank, as well as private hire vehicles, which have private hire insurance and must be booked in advance.
It is the brainchild of Russell Donaldson and Craig McLaughlin, who told the News and Star that in the run-up to the first milestone, they held several giveaways for customers, including restaurant vouchers, local spa getaways, and a 10-person VIP experience at Carlisle’s Box Arena.
Expanding
And having come this far, the business partners are keen to look to the future and expand the business with self-service machines placed in supermarkets and businesses which will make booking a taxi easier for customers.
Russell said: “The support from our customers has been absolutely fantastic.
“We are nothing without our customers, and the fact that we have seen our membership numbers constantly going up and up over the past year is amazing.
“Our main focus is giving our customers the same service, a quality service which gets them from A to B as fast as they want.”
Craig added that they have been made to feel part of the community and enjoy being able to reward customers.
He said: “We are always looking for ways to give back to our customers and to the local community.
“We have done 12 days of Christmas, we’ve done so many giveaways, and we always want to repay their support.”
Feedback
The company’s Facebook profile is full of positive reviews, many leaving five stars.
Among them, Kathryn Penro said: “Great app, it’s very easy to use and brilliant service the taxi arrived at the hospital very quickly after booking it. Arrived within a few minutes. Was very impressed and the driver was polite and friendly and very helpful with my disabled son and getting him in and out of the taxi from the hospital today.
“When he dropped us off at home, he helped my son out of the car and offered to help him to the front door. Such a lovely taxi driver, not sure what his name was though. Thanks for such a great service.”
Will MacGillivray said: “App is very easy to use most recently used tap a taxi to get family and suitcases home safely from train station after a long day travelling home. Drivers helped load the cases and couldn’t have been more helpful. They’re on time as scheduled. Fantastic thank you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Jemma JJ said: “Great app, great service, always turn up and often within minutes.. had an issue (that was my fault not the company or drivers) and they couldn’t be any more understanding. Won’t use any other company now. Thank you Tap A Taxi keep providing the brilliant service.”
The service has also been a hit with drivers, including Slav Dimitrov, who previously worked for Uber in Liverpool before moving to Carlisle about seven months ago.
He told the News and Star: “The guys, Russell and Craig, the other drivers, they are all really friendly and open, and that is what drew me to them.
“The app is growing and getting bigger and better because it is friendly to customers and drivers.”
Having recently mentioned the success of Skipton start-up Pink Ladies, it is good to see another success story in the industry, as well as improving taxi rural areas where passengers can often struggle to get a cab or PHV.
