This past June we had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Expo in Milton Keynes, UK. The Private Hire and Taxi Monthly is the leading trade newspaper in the UK with a print run of 25,000 copies. The Publication has been in circulation for 25 years. Along with the publication the PHTM also organizes the only national Private Hire and Taxi Exhibition in the Uk. The PHTM Expo has been held annually since 1993.
GROWTH IN THE UK
This past June we had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Expo in Milton Keynes, UK. The Private Hire and Taxi Monthly is the leading trade newspaper in the UK with a print run of 25,000 copies. The Publication has been in circulation for 25 years. Along with the publication the PHTM also organizes the only national Private Hire and Taxi Exhibition in the Uk. The PHTM Expo has been held annually since 1993.
We traveled from 2 different countries to make the Expo. Jake Cayang, UK Taxi Account Manager flew in from the Philippines. Bob Grunstein, Co-Owner traveled from Phoenix, AZ and Kelsey Spahn, Business Development came from Houston, TX to attend the Show. This was the first time in the UK for our Team. From the moment we arrived in the UK we were taking in and observing everything we could related to the industry. We utilized many different cab companies while on our trip. It did seem that cabs are more noticeably utilized in the UK, especially in London.
In speaking with different drivers it was interesting to learn their stories and how they view the industry. Being from the States and the Philippines we enjoyed hearing a Driver’s perspective regarding the day to day of the industry in the UK. An issue that was continuously brought up among drivers were the Clean Air Zones being established around the country.
TAXI INDUSTRY ISSUES
Clean Air and Global Warming is a huge issue we hear about all the time in the States. I wasn’t surprised that it was being brought up in casual conversation with drivers. I actually found it pretty spot on considering the Keynote Speaker at the PHTM Expo would be discussing exactly what every driver was bringing up, Clean Air Zones. When drivers brought up the Clean Air Zones I had two initial reactions. First I thought it was a great way to help lower emissions, then I wondered how it would affect the industry? Would smaller companies struggle? Would taxi drivers avoid Clean Air Zones? With so many questions I looked forward to hearing the Keynote discussion regarding the issue.
If you are not from the UK, you may be wondering what a Clean Air Zone is. In the UK different Cities have chosen to create Clean Air Zones. In these Clean Air Zones if your vehicle does not meet certain emissions requirements you will be charged to enter the zone for the day. The idea behind the Clean Air Zones is to lower emissions by lowering the number of cars on the road as well as the number of cars producing higher emissions.
If a city decides to implement clean air zones they are provided funding from Defra Joint Air Quality Unit. This funding comes with certain parameters of how it can be used in order to help improve the air quality. If a city chooses to take a different approach to lower emissions such as improving traffic flow and they are able to reach a certain level of change they are able to apply for funding to assist in the projects as well. Some cities are choosing to apply the Clean Air Charges to all vehicles while others are only applying to Private Hire and Taxis.
A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE
The same questions I had regarding the Clean Air Zones and how it would affect the industry were brought up by numerous Expo attendees. How will these changes affect the industry? I think this is a question that we come across in the taxi industry everyday with so many different changes. How will new regulations affect business? How will new technology affect business? What about self driving cars? And as all these questions come up, I feel that we can adapt to the changes as an industry and find new ways to grow and be successful through these changes.
We are looking forward to new changes ahead and seeing how we can adapt to them. With everything we took from the expo … networking and knowledge we will definitely return for a second year in 2020. WE will also be returning to the TLPA Convention this October in Las Vegas.
