Anonymous wrote:
Gateshead Angel wrote:
Diversifying into other sectors would not convince me that my profession was moving forward.
B. Lucky
![Twisted Evil :twisted:](./images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif)
Rural areas are different,
all our compeditors do some diversifying whether into the odd limosene or parcels.
our trade is changing all drivers now have to test.
Very true words.
We don't "have" to diversify at all. We do so because we choose to go down the bus route (if you will excuse the pun).
In the rural areas, we don't always just run cabs for a living, but because we also want to provide a service.
It's a matter of where our bread is buttered. We get no subsidy as cabs, but CAN get some running taxibuses. If we can do so and provide a better service to our customers, then that has to be the way to go.
As rural taxis, we rely upon a customer base far more than in a large town, as we pick up the same people every day. I would say that 90% of my pickups are people I already know/have met before. We need to keep them, and grow our business at the same time. If we can do so while offering better provisions for new customers too, then we all win.
I'll give you an example: When we started doing wheelchairs, we were still a cab company, but entered into an entirely new market sector, and managed to develop a whole new range of customers as a result of it. That means both more money for us, and greater access and journey oportunities for the disabled. It was, for us, a win win situation. (And they dont throw up in our cabs). And guess what? I actually like most of these people - they appreciate us!
With the taxibuses, its the same thing. We bring more money into the cab business, and develop a whole new range of customers, many of whom not previously regular taxi users due to the cost. It makes one busier overall and can reduced average dead mileage by a substantial amount across the entire fleet. And all this, with help from our Councils. How much help do you get from yours Mick?
We are not like Group Taxibus/Airport Carz, we do not serve one large town at all. We serve a sparsely populated rural area, where no bus or taxi means no transport at all for those without a lot of money.
We have two directions for expansion, either we move into the big towns and compete with the big boys, as a little fish in a big pond, or we go the way we are, and improve the services to our rural community, becoming a big fish in a small pond.
We move in against big boy competition, we get grief.
We do what we do, and we get compliments and support from all (with the possible exception of the Police). And earn a bit more money into the bargain.
So, how do say we are not moving forward? Frankly, as with Tom and Geoff, I see us as leading edge (or trying to be, anyway). How would you see the trade moving forward? Staying as it is, simply does not appear to be one of the options in my opinion.