A taxi firm that wants to take on the likes of Uber has made another acquisition.
Take Me has added Plymouth-based TAXIFIRST to its portfolio, joining former local rivals Tower Cabs as part of the same group.
Take Me was created by managing director David Hunter as a spin-off from the Leicestershire-based ADT TAXIS firm.
In recent months its expansion plans have seen it take on operators in Brighton, Birmingham, Leicester, Liverpool, Crew, London, Farnborough, and Cambridgeshire.
Last week Mr Hunter was named top executive within a medium-sized business at the LeicestershireLive Business Executive of the Year Awards. He said more acquisitions were in the pipeline.
He said: “This year we have added Steve’s Taxis, VGT Taxis, Westside Taxis, Intercity Private Hire, Tower Cabs and TC Cars and now TAXIFIRST.
“David Trace has been running TAXIFIRST in Plymouth for over 30 years and has built his fleet of vehicles up to over 160 now.
“Although the recent pandemic has seen some extraordinary times, Mr Trace has always been there to help his team of drivers on a day to day basis.
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“He has overseen a dramatic change in automation and systems within the business since starting and there is now over 80 per cent automation using the AutoCab booking systems.”
Mr Trace said: “It has been an emotional journey here in Plymouth but let me reassure all my team and customers that it is very much business as usual for us all here at TAXIFIRST.
“We are all looking forward to the benefits of being part of a larger group and using their resources to offer a better service to our customers and to ensure our drivers have the latest technology and systems to help them.
“Take Me is a national group of taxi companies offering driver incentives, including cheaper insurance, car replacement and finance.
“This collaboration will enable us to reach new heights and take TAXIFIRST to a new level whilst re-establishing our position as one of the finest in Plymouth.
“There will be lots of exciting developments taking place in the next few months and we want you all to be part of the journey.”
One of the first initiatives that Take Me will be helping TAXIFIRST with is to develop a Taxi Academy in Plymouth, training the next generation of taxi drivers.
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Mr Hunter said: “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.”