mercedes125 started this topic @ 15:36 on 19/08/2006
I am thinking of buying a minibus and doing airports, coastel trips etc, i am currently working full time monday -thursday so i intend to start off just on a partime basis eg friday saturday and sunday untill i build up a customer base, is this a good idea. Also i know that there are quite a few advertisments in my local newspaper of people whom are already in this buisness. I know that when you do start your own buisness you do take a risk and hope for the best, what do you people think of this i would be greatfull for any advice.
Thanks
RE: PRIVATE HIRE (MINIBUS DRIVING)
vengavenga | 21/08/2006 11:20 AM
If you haven't already done so, you need to get a quote for the insurance.
"Hire or reward" insurance can be VERY expensive indeed.
Ali.
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RE: PRIVATE HIRE (MINIBUS DRIVING)
Comspec | 23/08/2006 06:45 PM
Yep & the insurance companies are very unsure of new starts in the business.
Me and a mate bought a new Mondeo to taxi in Belfast and found it very hard to get insurance (though the area probably didnt help).
He had years of HGV driving & even continental, but the insurance companies were a struggle. We ended up having to go into an extablished firm as owner-driver status and it was quite lucrative (until someone nicked it 
).
Good luck tho.
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RE: PRIVATE HIRE (MINIBUS DRIVING)
iceman9080 | 24/08/2006 01:39 AM
Hi
Why not ring your potential competitors in the local newspaper, say you are from a different area, ask them for advice, get them talking about their business, find out how they are doing and how they get their business.
Sure some people won't give you the info, but other people love to give advice. Give it a try, what have you got to lose. You never know some people might even have an oversupply of work and will want to give it to you
If you need any suggestions of what to say email me.
Kind regards
Jonathan
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RE: RE: PRIVATE HIRE (MINIBUS DRIVING)
atrip2.co.uk | 18/11/2006 01:48 PM
I currently run a Holiday Accomodation website and I'm looking to go into Airport Transfers in the near future.
First of all I would be looking into sub contracting my work to freelance (Owner-Drivers) giving a wider choice of options and locations throughout the UK.
Do you think this would be the best start?
In the meantime if anybody is interested then please e-mail me on mstarkey@atrip2.co.uk and I would consider any location throughout the UK & Ireland.
Regards,
Mike Starkey
(Managing Director - www.atrip2.co.uk)
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RE: PRIVATE HIRE (MINIBUS DRIVING)
TFGTV | 19/11/2006 07:01 PM
Presumably you've looked into the legalities of this?
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/vehicledrivers/whatyoucandriveandyourobligations/drivingaminibusforhireorreward.htm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/WhatCanYouDriveArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022498&chk=U2nnRm
As well as ensuring you've got the correct licence there is of course (as others have mentioned) the question of insurance. And wouldn't such a service perhaps require a licence from your local authority?
As with any business you investment needs to be balanced out by research into the market in the area. "Is this a good Idea?" is a question that can only be answered on a local basis. I know that 'round here 'taxi' licences, insurance, vehicle costs and maintainance mean that running a mini-bus commercially is quite a capital-intensive business.
Hope it works out for you.
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