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Smart Pulls Rank On Bigger Private Hire Cars
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Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Smart Pulls Rank On Bigger Private Hire Cars
Smart Pulls Rank On Bigger Private Hire Cars

4 August 2009

Oxford commuters are enjoying a ‘fare deal’ with the arrival of innovative smart private hire cars to the city of the dreaming spires.

Solocar, founded by George Raithby, operates a fleet of striking, fully licensed smart fortwo private hire cars in and around Oxford; the cars’ frugal running costs meaning that customers are benefiting from fares that are, on average, 20 per cent cheaper than those of a ‘normal’ taxi or other private hire vehicles.

George, who has been in the industry for over 10 years, first thought of using a smart as a private hire car over three years ago when he experienced the iconic model’s nippy performance and manoeuvrability in Italy.

After researching the idea and winning the backing of local councillors, he established Solocar in May with four, 71bhp mhd smart passion coupés. All of the smarts were purchased from smart of Oxford and utilise a clever, automatic stop/start function that is activated during the engine idling phases to optimise economy and lower emissions.

“Sixty per cent of the trips our existing taxis took into Oxford were for a single passenger with little or no luggage, so there was definitely potential for using a smart,” said George, who is hoping to expand his smart fleet to 20 by April next year.

“Customer feedback is excellent and passengers love how different the service is, the surprising amount of space and the fact that the efficiency of the smarts is not only reducing the impact on the environment but also providing them with a more affordable service.”

George continued: “The smart fits perfectly with Oxford’s motor vehicle philosophy and, because our fuel bills are 15 per cent lower with these cars, our passengers are finding that, for once, the environmentally compatible option isn’t more expensive.”

Click on source link below for photo of Smart PHV

Source; easier.com
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
thier bills are 15% less but they charge 20% less....


i think i know where this is heading

how did a 2 door get licensed?...

oh i see, licensed for ONE passenger - and a bag of crisps...
Author:  bloodnock [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Do their drivers get paid 20% less wages too?
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
where too guv?

Image
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
bloodnock wrote:
Do their drivers get paid 20% less wages too?


if fuel dropped 15% would you charge 20% less?....

i would, ohhhhhhhh yesssss
Author:  bloodnock [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
wannabeeahack wrote:
bloodnock wrote:
Do their drivers get paid 20% less wages too?


if fuel dropped 15% would you charge 20% less?....

i would, ohhhhhhhh yesssss


no..because fuel is only about 20% of my costs..so a 15% fuel saving is really only a 3% drop in overall costs, and that same 15% I could probably acheive if I wasnt so heavy wi my right foot....hardly worth knocking that off the fare now is it?? as it only balances out any inflationary rises.

Besides...Id not get many airport tranfers using a lawnmower engined, hard topped Dodgem. :roll:
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
At over 70 MPG for the diesel version in urban conditions is not bad
They did a test to see how many miles they could get driven sensibly a few years ago with one and it returned 103 MPG :shock:
Author:  bloodnock [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
wannabeeahack wrote:
bloodnock wrote:
Do their drivers get paid 20% less wages too?


if fuel dropped 15% would you charge 20% less?....

i would, ohhhhhhhh yesssss


no..because fuel is only about 20% of my costs..so 15% drop in fuel is really only a 3% drop in overall costs...hardly worth knocking that off now is it?? as it only balances out any inflationary rises.

besides...Id not get many airport tranfers with a lawnmower engined, hard topped Dodgem. :roll:
Author:  GBC [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Image


It was suggested a long time ago that this picture was of Sussex, although the last picture he was sitting at a computer desk. :D
Author:  GBC [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:44 am ]
Post subject: 
I own a Smart Car (For 2 passion) as my car.

They're great little cars and superb on fuel, but there's no way you'll get much more than one person and some shopping in the thing.

Quite how he expects to run a 'taxi' business with a fleet of them???

Limited appeal comes to mind. :?
Author:  Nigel [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:49 am ]
Post subject: 
GBC wrote:
Image


It was suggested a long time ago that this picture was of Sussex, although the last picture he was sitting at a computer desk. :D


Looks like MrT :shock: :shock: :shock: Hides behind desk waiting for gun shots. 8)
Author:  grandad [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:00 am ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
At over 70 MPG for the diesel version in urban conditions is not bad
They did a test to see how many miles they could get driven sensibly a few years ago with one and it returned 103 MPG :shock:


My gas converted Vectra and Pug 406 return the equivelent of this! My dad has a renault megane diesel that returns 70 mpg as well.
Author:  Smoked Glass [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:52 am ]
Post subject: 
It will all end in tears!
Author:  toots [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:54 am ]
Post subject: 
Smoked Glass wrote:
It will all end in tears!


What will :? or are you referring to the removal of that bloke from the car
Author:  skippy41 [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:32 am ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:
skippy41 wrote:
At over 70 MPG for the diesel version in urban conditions is not bad
They did a test to see how many miles they could get driven sensibly a few years ago with one and it returned 103 MPG :shock:


My gas converted Vectra and Pug 406 return the equivelent of this! My dad has a renault megane diesel that returns 70 mpg as well.


Ah but you had to use a gallon of both to do that :wink:
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