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North Yorkshire’s Station Taxis of Malton becomes Take Me’s first takeover of 2022 Mark Bursa Ambitious taxi group Take Me has added another company to its growing portfolio with the addition of North Yorkshire operator Station Taxis. The company operates around the Ryedale area and has a head office in Malton. Station Taxis boss Lisa Ridsdale, who is staying with the business, said she was delighted that her business was now part of the Take Me group, and, allowing it to access the power of the network. She said: “Station Taxis is a family run business established in 1991, since when we have grown to be the largest taxi service in the Ryedale area.” She continued: “We have been running a successful business in Malton and surrounding areas for years, but we know that being part of a network of businesses just like mine will ensure that we can use the latest
systems, technology and marketing, giving us a new edge in 2022.” “I am also looking forward to being part of a network of taxi owners, where I can seek advice as well as share my own best practices with other companies in different locations. Together, we are stronger, and ready to take on the challenges of operating a taxi fleet in the modern age.”
The company has a workshop in Norton with a second office at Malton Station and an operation in the town of Pickering, Station Taxis operates a fleet of 15 cars, five MPVs and five 16-passenger minibuses. Ridsdale added: “Having recently provided Ryedale’s first ecofriendly green hybrid taxi, we have since taken delivery of a further 3, demonstrating our commitment to
help protect our local environment. We’re passionate about serving the local community and continually strive to improve the quality of our service.” Take Me managing director David Hunter said: “The company has more acquisitions in the pipeline to be announced in the near future and 2022 is shaping up to be just as busy as last year, following the additions last year to the group including ADT Taxis, Steve’s Taxis, VGT Taxis, Westside Taxis, Intercity Private Hire, Tower Cabs, TC Cars and Taxifirst.” Hunter concluded: “It is exciting times at Take Me as we keep expanding and adding brilliant local businesses to our network fleet. Together we can bring our skills and infrastructure from being a national brand but build on the local expertise of these amazing well established taxi operators.”
Addison Lee guarantees new drivers £5,000 in their first month in its new recruitment plan Mark Bursa Addison Lee has launched an aggressive driver recruitment programme in a bid to rebuild driver numbers as lockdown restrictions are lifted. The London private hire and taxi giant wants to hire 1,000 new private hire drivers this year. New recruits are being offered guaranteed earnings of £5,000 in their first month, together with holiday pay and contributory pension. Currently, top earners at Addison Lee are earning more than £2,000 per week. The company has also launched a new scheme called a AL Rewards, a suite of benefits to support drivers’ financial, physical, and mental wellbeing. AL Rewards has been developed in partnership with Collective
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Benefits. The package includes sick pay, physio support and mental health counselling as part of a range range of wellbeing measures. With the first Volkswagen ID.4
electric vehicles already operating on its fleet, Addison Lee will also offer all drivers access to an electric vehicle by 2023 as it transitions to a fully-electric fleet.
Drivers will also be offered support with the shift to electric, including exclusive access to nearby offstreet EV charging points through Addison Lee’s partnership with JustPark. Addison Lee CEO Liam Griffin said: “As Plan B Covid restrictions ease and demand rises, Addison Lee’s new driver offer ensures the best deal in the market for existing partner drivers and new recruits, with the best earning opportunities, a range of benefits and access to state-of-the-art vehicles. This enhanced package ensures that we will be supporting our existing partner drivers, while growing our fleet to help meet rising demand for safe travel in London.” Prospective drivers can register interest to drive at addisonlee.com/ private-hire-drivers/register
FEBRUARY 2022
