Upcoming planned Cabmania site upgrade

Posted on May 8, 2013 by admin

Upcoming planned Cabmania site upgrade

Dear Sir/Madam,

As you are aware, Cabmania continues to make significant investments and improvements to its infrastructure to better serve its customers and partners.

These improvements sometimes require us to perform necessary site maintenance upgrades.

On the night between the 11th to the 12th of May 2013, from approximately midnight (00:00 am) to 06:00 am BST, the service will not be available. Please make the appropriate preparations to have the information you require from the website for offline use.

Please reference our blog for specific details and updates.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve our services. Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Cabmania

 http://www.cabmania.com

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments yet, your thoughts?

Cabmania hits 3000 registered taxis

Posted on December 20, 2011 by admin

Cabmania keeps expanding the coverage for you: we continue to expand with more and more PHV operators and Hackney Cabs registering on our site. By the end of last week Cabmania has over 3000 vehicles available online from the various operators and Taxis.

Cabmania continues to grow as more and more Private Hire Operators and Taxi firms join us and register on the site to be able to offer their services to you, the end customer. We want to allow you the best and most varied choice all over the UK.

With over 26,000 customers that have already used the site this year we keep seeing that numbers of customers are growing consistently.

Posted in Announcement | Tagged , , , | No Comments yet, your thoughts?

Unbiased information on cabs and taxi services

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

Unbiased information on cabs and taxi services is hard to find. Now you can help improve the industry and create transparency.

Improve the taxi industry and create transparency

The service sector and in particular the taxi and minicab industry “enjoy” a large degree of anonymity, leaving the consumer to search blindly in pursuit of a good and cost effective service. If you are a user of taxis or minicabs this idea can change the odds in your favour.

Sharing your experience will improve the service for the next time you need it. We believe that when consumers can share their experiences this will improve the service, making the good better and the bad known.

Taxi and Minicab companies accountability

What if you could tell everyone about your last minicab ride? Were they on time? Was the car clean? Was the driver courteous? Was the price fair?

Making Taxi and Minicab companies accountable for their service will weed out the cowboys from the real professionals and make the industry a better place.

We at Cabmania are using Facebook to do just this.

A community in an effort to improve

We are creating a community of taxi and minicab consumers that care for each other and share their experiences. All in an effort to improve and make using Cabs an enjoyable experience. A place where only the good, professional taxi and minicab companies exist and where bad service, no show, late arrival and dirty cabs are a thing of the past.

How you can participate

We need your help to create such a community:

1) You can book your minicab or taxi through www.Cabmania.com or our Facebook page

2) After the ride, rate and give the feedback on the company that you used – This becomes visible to all the community and we can share this with all our connections on our Facebook page. Share the good and share the not so good experiences.

3) If you feel this is a good cause “like” us on Facebook, tell your friends and expand the community

Posted in Announcement, London taxi, Passenger feedback | No Comments yet, your thoughts?

Taxi Legislation – Equality Act 2010

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

If you are a taxi vehicle driver you must pay attention to taxi legislation, including the Equality Act of 2010. Changes in legislation came into effect in October 2010, which can affect your chosen career path. The Equality Act 2010 includes provisions that relate specifically to taxis, private hire vehicles and disability.

As an Act there are certain parts/sections that will not become actual law until the Government make a decision on when to provide commencement orders that will bring each part into force. The Government had intentions to bring many sections of the Act into force in October 2010 and did so with much success, with some of the provisions being specific to taxis, however there will be other provisions that will come into force in the run up to April 2011.

Provide assistance to those who use wheelchairs

Relating to taxi legislation the Equality Act 2010 places duties on drivers of designated wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles and taxis to provide physical assistance to their passengers that require the use of a wheelchair. Drivers of wheelchair accessible taxis or private hire vehicles must determine whether their licensing authority is going to keep a list of designated vehicles and if they are and the driver’s taxi is included on that list, they are required to provide assistance to those who use wheelchairs that may be passengers.

It may at first seem daunting that you have to provide assistance to wheelchair users that may be riding in your taxi, but it is fairly straightforward. Amongst the duties you must provide include carrying a passenger whilst in a wheelchair, to carry the wheelchair should the passenger choose to sit in a passenger seat, to ensure the passenger is carried safely and in reasonable comfort and to take any steps necessary to ensure this.

Should the passenger decide to remain in their wheelchair, the driver must provide aid to the passenger to get in and out of the taxi and if the passenger decides to change and sit in a seat, the driver is required to help the passenger out of the wheelchair, into a seat and back into the wheelchair, as well as storing the wheelchair in the vehicle safely.

Mobility assistance

In addition the driver must ensure they provide the passenger with mobility assistance as required and to not make an additional charge for these services. Mobility assistance, for those who are slightly unaware, means helping wheelchair-using passengers by providing physical assistance.

For those who’s licensing authority decides not to maintain a list of designated vehicles, the duties will not apply and do not need to be practiced. Should the driver have a back complaint that makes it awkward or painful to help a wheelchair users, then this driver is exempt providing their is evidence from a doctor to support the reasons on medical grounds. It is the licensing authority that determines who is exempt from this process, and should you disagree with their decision you have 28 days to appeal to the magistrates’ court.

Posted in London taxi, Taxi drivers | Tagged , | 1 Comment, your thoughts?

The New London Taxi – The Mercedes Viano/Vito

Posted on October 5, 2011 by admin

There appears to be an understandable backlash when classic items representative of British culture are axed from the public view. Losses over the past twenty years have included the red London telephone box, the London bobby’s hat and the red Double Decker London bus. As each of these items disappeared from English heritage, people grew weary and lacklustre over the modern items that replaced them and now one of the only icons of British heritage that remains is the London Taxi, which is thought to be approaching doomsday itself.

The Viano people carrier

The new London Taxi – Mercedes Viano/Vito – is a creation released from Mercedes Benz and KPM-UK, that is based on the Mercedes Benz Vito Travelliner, commonly known as the Mercedes Benz Viano people carrier. This collaboration between the two companies will cease the monopoly LTI Vehicles Coventry has had on the market since the manufacture of the Metrocab, which has since been discontinued. Despite some apprehension surrounding the launch of the new London Taxi, it has been met with a great deal of approval, even from the taxi drivers themselves.

The Public Carriage Office (London licensing authority) has approved the new Mercedes Viano/Vito, which has also complied with the London Conditions of Fitness regulations which is applied by the Public Carriage Office to the London Taxis. These regulations include wheelchair accessibility (Equality Act 2010) and the 25 feet turning point, necessary for tiny London streets!

Clearly distinguished

The design isn’t so far removed from the classic London Taxi image, however the recognisability of the new Vito/Viano as a London Taxi is considered to be slightly concerning due to the vast amount of private hire vehicles that are used by London chauffeur companies. It has even been suggested that the word taxi should be written on the side of the new Vito/Viano to clearly distinguish it from other models.

This new launch will have Mercedes Benz competing directly with the TX4 (the conventional London taxi), both of which are available for hire on cabmania.com. It is thought that the new model released by Mercedes will be a strong contender in the licensed taxi race in England’s capital city, largely due to the reputable and prestigious nature of Mercedes-Benz.

Amazing comfort

The new London Vito/Viano Taxi is a really nice car to be in, offering amazing levels of comfort for the driver and the passengers. It features a superior fuel economy to the TX4 and seat six passengers, which is convenient for the large groups that frequent the London cultural venues. To correspond with this, the taxi features extra luggage space in comparison to other taxis, has metallic paint, electric steps, front and rear air conditioning, passenger doors operated electronically, front and rear parking sensors, ABS, driver’s airbag and leather seat, as well as a boon of other extras, which clearly identify this new model as a great alternative to the TX4.

Posted in London taxi, Online taxi booking | Tagged , , , , | No Comments yet, your thoughts?

London Taxi and Minicabs (Private Hire) – A Beginners Guide

Posted on September 27, 2011 by admin

The distinction between the famous London black cabs – Hackney Carriages as they are quaintly still known – and the growing number of private hire vehicles, otherwise known as minicabs, is one that is defined by dome clear differences in the manner in which they operate. While all taxis are regulated and licensed – in London and elsewhere – the way in which a cab can be hailed or booked is the major difference.

Black cabs can be hailed

We are all familiar with the legendary London taxi – a vehicle so distinctive that it has a following of its own – and many a popular film set in the capital will feature someone flagging down a black cab in the street. The yellow ‘For Hire’ light is another famous feature, and yet many people are unaware that it is only the black cabs that can be hailed as they pass.

Private hire minicab can only be booked

This is down to laws that have been around for a long time, and it remains so that a private hire minicab, typically a saloon car or people carrier, can only be booked by personal contact, by telephone, email or fax, and even then only at a registered minicab office and not by talking to the driver. This is for security reasons, of course, and is something that came about when minicabs became a challenge to traditional black cabs in the 1960’s.

Private hire minicabs are strictly regulated in the capital and must pass a roadworthiness test twice each year and display a licence that is current; drivers are also required to pass a topographical test and are awarded a certificate, although this test is not the famous one that is required by black cab drivers – known as ‘The Knowledge’ – but a different and more basic test.

The advantage of a pre-agreed fare

With an unlimited amount of taxi’s operating in London – unlike many cities there is no regulatory maximum – there is plenty of competition, especially between black cabs and minicab companies; while the black cab will be a fare that is calculated by the meter a minicab booked in advance gives you the advantage of a pre-agreed fare, and this is something that attracts many people to the service.

Pay what you want

Indeed, there is a tendency for people to stick with one favourite taxi operator in their area, but with a minicab booking service such as Cabmania – with confirmation by email or text – you are inviting the taxi operators to submit the best price they can and, therefore, getting the right deal. Cabmania booking services also offer a system whereby you can tender a price for the journey, and if an operator agrees to it you pay what you want!

Choosing between a black cab and a minicab in London is often difficult; for that urgent journey there is no substitute for hailing a cab on the street, but for a journey planned in advance the pre-booked minicab may well be the best bet.

Posted in London taxi, Online taxi booking, Taxi booking features | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment, your thoughts?

The History of the London Taxi

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin

The London Taxi is a sight considered to be synonymous with British culture, just as much as tea, crumpets, the monarchy and the London bus. They have come a long way to get to the point where they can be booked so easily on the internet. Since their conception there have been a number of different stages in the history of the London Taxi, with many different models of car being used.

Originally a two-wheeled carriage

The first of the London Taxis was considered to be the “Hackney cab”, where Hackney appears as a translation from the French horse breed “Haquenee”. This horse was known to be a beast of great stamina and had the ability to trot at an average, steady speed over long period of time. Due to this special ability the Haquenee horse was determined to be ideal for pulling carriages and thus, became the motor for the Hackney carriages. The term cab is shortened from “cabriolet”, which was originally a two-wheeled carriage pulled by a single horse, which therefore gives us our term “Hackney cab”.

The petrol-driven car

Obviously as technology was on the rise the esteemed of London could no longer be seen riding around in horse-drawn carriages and instead needed the latest technology of a petrol-driven car. This laid way for the biggest taxi manufacturer – William Beardmore of Glasgow – to fill this need in the market and create the petrol taxi. The term taxi is an abbreviation of taximeter, just in case you were wondering. Following 1945 and the end of WWII people began to rebuild their lives in the capital city and taxi firms could once again operate due to the growing population numbers in the city. The classic taxicab image was born in 1947, this being the FX3 model.

Vehicle development

Though the technology became more advanced and developed, the basic style of the taxi did not change. The FX4 is the best-known taxi in history that ran till 1989. From it’s humble origin as a result of the joint ventures of Mann and Overton, Carbodies of Coventry and Austin, the FX4 underwent continuous development. It began as a 2.2 diesel car, then in 1961 a petrol version was offered. In 1982 Carbodies bought the rights to the FX4 design and “London Taxis International” continued to develop the vehicle, upgrading the engine from the Austin unit to Land Rover diesels.

A more comfortable taxi

Another familiar face was launched in 1989, being the Fairway. Not dissimilar to the FX3 or FX4 in appearance, there were some exciting new changes, including a 2.7L Nissan engine, front suspension with disc brakes and a fully-accessible interior perfect for wheelchair users. This model dominated the market for almost a decade, until 1997 saw the launch of the TXI, a radically different vehicle in comparison to its predecessors. Though the silhouette was somewhat the same, the design saw huge advances in usability and refinement, with a 48% larger windscreen and 90° opening doors. In addition to providing a more comfortable taxi experience for passengers, there were new safety features including three-point seat belts for all passengers and an integral child seat.

Upgraded performance

Sticking with that same classic silhouette the TXII, released in 2002, was a vast improvement in specifications in comparison to the TXI. Firstly, the engine saw an upgrade to a Ford 2.5L unit, which provides better performance and the suspension saw a huge redesign. The rear had coil springs installed and the front anti-roll bar gave passengers a much smoother ride.

Better safety

2006 and we are up-to-date with the history of the London Taxi, with the TX4 release. This model featured a VM Motori diesel engine, which is met with the Euro IV emission standard, providing a vastly improved environmental performance. The ABS brakes allow for much better safety and improved ventilation, an improved intercom system and an interior redesign.

It is safe to say that the London Taxis journey has been a rich and varied one, which has lead the concept to its current stage, with the best taxis on the road that can be easily booked by their customers by a range of means, including advanced online booking.

Posted in London taxi, Online taxi booking | Tagged , , , , | No Comments yet, your thoughts?

The Knowledge Test – London Taxi Drivers

Posted on September 13, 2011 by admin

Everyone who has ever been to the great English capital city of London will be familiar with the distinctive London taxi, as it has been a figure used in many television shows, movies and advertising campaigns. There will be many features that you will recognise, including the yellow ‘For Hire’ light, but the majority of minicabs can only be booked via personal contact, telephone, e-mail or fax due to security reasons but for your convenience we offer an advanced online booking service.

A topographical test

In the capital private hire minicabs are strictly regulated, which includes a roadworthiness test twice per year and the display of a current licence. As well as this, taxi drivers are required to pass a topographical test known as ‘The Knowledge Test’. In a complex city such as London it is beneficial for all licensed taxi drivers to have an in-depth knowledge of the London roads, which is the main reason why the Knowledge Test was introduced. The Knowledge Test covers London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross and covers 320 routes/runs, as is included in the set out of the Public Carriage Office’s “Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London”, which is otherwise known as the “Blue Book”.

Places of interest

It is also beneficial for London taxi drivers to have a knowledge of the places of interest and the most important landmarks within London that are within a quarter mile radius of the start and finish points, which can aid tourists in their exploration of the city. Some of the areas that are memorised by taxi drivers include museums, hospitals, police stations, cinema’s, statues, monuments, restaurants, government buildings and many other places of interest.

Another driving test

The first examination taxi drivers will take for the Knowledge Test takes place in the Public Carriage Office, where candidates must pay a once only fee of around £100. During this test, candidates are first given a basic written test based on what is in the Blue Book that will provide them with start and finish points, then they must detail the shortest routes between them. They are then tested on their knowledge of the area in one-to-one interviews known as appearances. These appearances are orally tested by a Knowledge of London examiner based on their progress. Depending on the ability of candidate there will be a return to the PCO for another appearance, which will happen at 56 day, 28 day and 21 day intervals. When a candidate has progressed to 21 day standard they will be required to take another driving test.

Currently there is a review of the delivery of testing the knowledge in order to improve the efficiency of the test, which will be done through the judicious use of information technology (IT).

Posted in London taxi, Taxi drivers | 1 Comment, your thoughts?

Cabmania named as a winner in UK’s smartest 100 small businesses

Posted on September 2, 2011 by admin

Cabmania is named as a winner of the 2011 Smarta 100 awards: its collection of the UK’s savviest, enterprising, most disruptive small businesses.

Vote now: Voting is now under way to find the overall 100 Business of the Year, winning £10,000 courtesy of O2.

We are very proud to be one of the 100 winners, we are the 1st independent marketplace for taxi booking and we operate all across the UK, we have set the business looking at it from the consumer’s point of view and we believe that if it works for the consumer the cabbies will follow. We are happy to see it happening and we rapidly grow. We give amazing savings to the consumer through innovation in market that was crying out for it. We are very happy and thankful to Smarta’s team for choosing us.

This year’s Smarta 100 provides a fascinating snapshot of UK small business today: a cross-section of ingenious new ideas, individuals seeking self-employment after redundancy, the innovators of the cloud and crowd and the fast-growth big businesses of tomorrow.

Beyond Cabmania, there are 99 other businesses, all battling it out for the title of O2 Smarta 100 Business of the Year. Innovation and entrepreneurship are alive and well in Britain. On average, they are three years and two months old. They employ a total of 740 people, with 9% employing a staff of more than 20. These 100 businesses tend to be running lean operations however, with a growing shift to virtual teams and networks of freelancers – 79% employ fewer than 10 people and 68% fewer than five.

The winner will be presented with their £10,000 prize – courtesy of O2 – at The Smarta 100 Awards final on Wednesday 21st September at London’s IndigO2. The evening will also see six special awards presented for the Smarta 100 companies deemed the best in the categories of Innovation; Technology; Social Impact; Use of Resources and Marketing. The shortlisted companies are now available to view online.

These awards will be decided by the Smarta 100 judging panel consisting of King of Shaves founder Will King, Bebo founder Michael Birch, PR guru Lynne Franks, TV’s Sarah Beeny, creator of MySingleFriend.com and Tepilo.com, Smarta’s Shaa Wasmund and O2’s Simon Devonshire.

Posted in Announcement | Tagged | No Comments yet, your thoughts?

Chauffer driver cars – executive cars in London

Posted on August 18, 2011 by admin

When visiting the capital city of London it is often difficult to get around, particularly when you have no knowledge of the streets, the traffic system or the Underground routes. Of course it is hard to miss the many different licensed taxis within London, as they are synonymous with British entertainment, including films, television shows and advertisements, however it can sometimes seem a bit daunting finding the phone number of a reputable company that can navigate you around this great city. This proves exceptionally difficult when you have particular needs, such as pets, children, disabled passengers, etc. or when you want the special service of chauffer driver cars or executive cars in London, however we can provide you with the ideal taxi that is licensed and specific to your needs in a few easy clicks.

Individual executive needs

When you want that special touch that makes you feel slightly more important during your stay, or if you are perhaps accustomed to the finer things in life, then chauffeur driver/executive cars are the ideal choice for seeing the sights of the city. Many of these are also available for hire outside of the capital, ensuring you have a pleasant journey to the surrounding suburbs of the city. Many of these cars are Range Rover, Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW, Rolls Royce or even Bentley models, so you are assured of the highest standard of comfort during your journey. In most cases you can specify the model you want to pick you up and you can choose from luxury sedans, limousines, passenger vans and motor coaches, depending on your individual needs. The interiors are clean and comfortable and in some cases you can specify the type of interior you require. As well as this, some companies even offer complimentary products and services to make your journey even more enjoyable.

Eliminate any bother

One of the best times to ensure you opt for an executive car is when you’re arriving from the airport. If you’re on a special vacation or a business trip, then the last thing you want after a long flight is to fight off the crowd to get into a black cab. By using our service to provisionally book your ride, you will eliminate all of this bother. The majority of chauffeur driver cars operate at the airports in the city and after that long haul you will appreciate the comfort and stress-free environment of one of these cars over the slightly grubby black cabs.

If you are in London for a special occasion, what better way is there to treat yourself or your guests than to a private chauffeur driver car to get you from A to B without any hassle. At reasonable prices, these cars can be booked no matter what the season, so you can be assured that you get the best experience possible without any delays or problems.

Posted in executive cars, London taxi, Online taxi booking | Tagged , , | No Comments yet, your thoughts?