Passengers are being encouraged to choose local taxi firms over global ride-hailing platforms wherever they book a cab – and they can use the same trusted app they use at home.
iCabbi launched the Love Local Taxi & Private Hire campaign to remind passengers about the importance of supporting their local operators. It is also encouraging all UK fleets to take part as part of the drive to support local companies ahead of ride-hailing tech giants.
And, to help grab people’s attention, iCabbi has recruited actor Shaun Williamson – who played Barry Evans in EastEnders – as Taxi Barry, who shows how easy it is to book a cab for anything from club nights in Bristol to visiting nanna in Bolton for a cup of tea.
Community
iCabbi said: “Local taxi and private-hire companies have been the backbone of our communities for over 120 years. They’ve been there in the good times, the bad times, and once-in-a-lifetime times.
“Safe, reliable, professional and friendly – these companies are owned and operated in the community, for the community. So, when you need a ride, think taxi and private-hire first, you’ll be supporting the kind of businesses that reinvest back into your local area – sponsor your local team, help people in need, go the extra mile in an emergency.
“Taxi and private-hire companies all over the UK can now provide national coverage. The local app you use to book a cab at home can now be used when you’re away! No need to use multiple apps or search for a cab company when you’re out of town. Additionally, you’ll be supporting your local, trusted cab company, as well as similar companies throughout the UK.”
In a promotional video for the campaign, Dotted CEO Azmat Sherwani said: “Love Local Taxi is all about celebrating that local taxi companies across the UK are now nationwide.
“Think taxi first when you go to book a trip. You get safe, trusted, reliable and friendly service.”
Network
Sinead Gillett, iCabbi’s chief marketing officer, said: “Hundreds of taxi companies have come together to build a network that allows you to use your local taxi app to book a taxi anywhere you go.
“Local Taxi loves community and we’re asking you to love Local Taxi back.”
The ability for passengers to use their local taxi app nationally follows iCabbi’s launch of The Exchange system, which gives passengers access to a potential pool of 60,000 taxis and PHVs in the UK and Ireland.
iCabbi explained: “This means that a local taxi firm, who uses iCabbi taxi dispatch technology, can now offer their passengers access to local, national and soon, a global network. Critically, this collaborative approach to retaining, and winning bookings for the taxi and private-hire sector serves to push ridehail back from taking over passenger transport in cities and towns across the UK, something that is becoming an ever-growing problem as more and more councils issue licenses.”
As well as letting passengers use their local apps, The Exchange allows fleets to send bookings they cannot service into the app for other local operators to pick up. It also means that passengers use their familiar local app whenever they are away, rather than switching to a ride-hailing app which they might continue to use when they get home.
And unlike ride-hailing technology, The Exchange allows customers to call a taxi or PHV – using the same number they would call their local taxi firm – knowing it is properly licensed and has the appropriate taxi insurance in place.
Whichever booking system is used, the key message behind the campaign is the importance of taxis and PHVs in the communities they serve and the need to keep using them.
