1-800-TAXICAB Wins Bid to Become Salt Lake City's Largest Taxi Fleet
SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 10, 2011 -- 1-800-TAXICAB Salt Lake City has been awarded a contract to provide on-demand taxi service concessions in Salt Lake City. Beginning in November 2011, it will serve the Salt Lake City International Airport with a 150-cab fleet, becoming Salt Lake City's largest taxi fleet.
The 1-800-TAXICAB Salt Lake City franchise is operated by veteran taxi industry operator Ace Taxi Service, which also operates the 1-800-TAXICAB franchise in Cleveland, Ohio.
The concession allows city-wide taxi service, not limited to the airport. The competitive request for proposal process was administered by the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. A seven member voting panel ranked the proposals. Six criteria were used to evaluate bids, including: quality of vehicles, driver programs, operational plan, prior general and specialized experience, fees and financial performance. 1-800-TAXICAB received the highest overall score among all bidders based on these criteria.
The 1-800-TAXICAB taxi fleet will use newer, more eco-friendly vehicles, as well as introduce a number of customer service enhancements such as internal and external safety cameras, online booking, text ordering, and national corporate account access. Accessible vehicles will be operated to accommodate the needs of passengers with disabilities.
1-800-TAXICAB has announced that it is focusing 100% of its driver recruitment efforts on Salt Lake City residents, especially current Salt Lake City taxi drivers.
"We have always been excited about recruiting skilled drivers in Salt Lake City," 1-800-TAXICAB Salt Lake City president DeVo Bavishi said. "We have never doubted the existence of a rich pool of driver talent in the area."
Bavishi noted that no drivers are being recruited in any city outside of Salt Lake City.
"Our dispatch operations are based in Utah, all fleet services such as auto paint, repair and maintenance will be done locally, and all of our driver recruitment is taking place in town," said Bavishi. "Actually, the only significant factor being brought in from outside Utah is the multi-million dollar financial capital that is being invested to improve local service and create jobs and opportunities for local members of the community."
The 1-800-TAXICAB fleet will represent a significant investment in quality service for area residents and visitors.
"We are acquiring new vehicles including environmentally friendly Prius vehicles, using the latest GPS based dispatching, and providing in-vehicle credit card swipes for outstanding service," said Bavishi. "We believe in treating drivers well, and putting passenger service above all else. Technology helps us do this."
The Salt Lake City franchise location is part of the fast growing 1-800-TAXICAB taxi franchise. The franchise allows taxi operators to own and operate a local 1-800-TAXICAB franchise fleet, while utilizing nationally coordinated marketing and customer service initiatives. It is the first multi-state franchise offered in the U.S. taxi industry.
1-800-TAXICAB franchise system founder, Mark Adkins, noted that several factors are driving the growth of the 1-800-TAXICAB brand, especially the desire by passengers for higher quality service as well as better opportunities for independent contractor drivers.
"We know that passengers want excellent service," said Adkins. "That drive for good service is behind 1-800-TAXICAB's efforts to utilize the latest technology, to offer new vehicles, and to recruit outstanding independent drivers."
Bavishi emphasized that technology, well maintained vehicles, corporate account programs, and eco-friendly initiatives are the cornerstones of his efforts to open the 1-800-TAXICAB Salt Lake City location.
"We are looking forward to recruiting local drivers and bringing more capital to the Salt Lake City taxi industry," said Bavishi. "At the end of the day, our success is dependent on fostering excellent opportunities with the best drivers in the area to serve the community."
Taxi drivers can learn more and request information about driving a taxi in Salt Lake City at http://www.1800taxicabslc.com.
About the 1-800-TAXICAB Franchise System
The 1-800-TAXICAB Franchise is the first U.S. based multi-state taxicab franchise. The 1-800-TAXICAB system connects passengers to taxi service throughout the United States. The mission of the 1-800-TAXICAB franchise is to offer high quality taxi related services through an industry-leading national taxi enterprise. Passengers can call 1-800-TAXICAB nationwide to order taxi service from a local franchise location, or, in cities without a franchisee, order taxi service from an independent local taxi company on the 1-800-TAXICAB referral network. 1-800-TAXICAB connects passengers to taxi servicevia telephone, sms Text message, online booking, or smartphone applications. Visit http://www.1800taxicab.com to learn more about 1-800-TAXICAB or to order a taxi.
Media Contact: Mark Adkins Widestream Enterprises, Inc, 801-590-3276, mark@taxi-fran.com
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