flexicab-blog

[flexicab-blog]

New Press Material! 

Feel free to gossip about us...we love a bit of gossip too. https://flexicab.co/about

[flexicab-blog]

[flexicab-blog]

That’s right. We’re crowdfunding!

We’re truly helping local communities in developing a seamless and fluid travel mechanism, that’ll incoherently help local business to grow.

Help us reach our goal of raising enough awareness! Lets put the strength back in into our communities.

Yours sincerely,

The FlexiCab Team 

[flexicab-blog]

To all millennials who live in London, when was the last time you took a black-cab? And how much did you pay?

Now ask that same question for a taxi you used last. Can you see the immediate difference?

We need to come to realise that the current way of thinking in this today’s economy is to save as much to make as much. Most private hire apps generally have retained a lower cost than the traditional taxi hailing. Now that some have taken their business model to the app, it remains still ludicrously expensive.

Have you tried any of these apps before? They’re really good.

FlexiCab

Wheely

Maxxi

Blacklane

Splitcab

ViaVan

Give us your opinion.

[flexicab-blog]

The top 10 apps to get you around London 2018

Travelling around London can be a nightmare as much as it is a fun city to visit. So now we’ve decided to supply our list of the best travel apps to use when getting in and around the city and suburban areas.

The list ranges from clever maps to speedy car-hires. 

Google Maps - Maps for the world.

Citymapper - The transport app.

Oyster - Top up your oyster. Access to Transport for London

Tube Map - Find your way around London Tubes.

FlexiCab - The locality riding app.

London Live Bus Times - Find out live London Bus times.

Time Out - Book Events of all sorts.

DriveNow - Drive by the minute.

BlaBla Car - Car-sharing. Community and urban.

Zipcar - Wheels at your doorstep.

Get all the of these apps in your Travel apps folder. And you’ll never struggle in London for fun and travel.

[flexicab-blog]

This May, join our 2 year anniversary. FREE RIDES ALERT!

This year we’re giving 1 FREE Ride to all current riders! A free ride on the house to celebrate the company’s longevity over the past 2 years. So on the 19th of May 2018, don’t hesitate give FlexiCab a tap. 

[flexicab-blog]

Should we really cap the future?

It seems new legislation is opening new doors for the ambitious tech community. Apps who accept licensed drivers are now delivering rides to regions where drivers are not licensed to which causes a massive disruption in the reputations of licensing authorities of these areas of the UK. 

“A new report out today from Transport for London (TfL) says the transport body thinks it is common practice for drivers to apply for a licence in the capital, with no intention of working there. Over 700 London-licensed drivers live in Birmingham and 200 in Manchester.” Source City AM

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“City Hall has said this has led to a number of issues across the country such as one authority licensing 1,000 drivers from their area, but more than 6,000 from other areas.” Source City AM

But legislation does allow this to happen. Currently, drivers of taxis or private hire vehicles can work anywhere in England once they have a licence with a licensing authority and this still stands.

Should we really change the nature of this legislation or embrace it? This level of fluidity does have its down sides especially with incidents that involve the safety of passengers, road accidents and fraudulent pickups. HOWEVER, it does mean taxis and minicabs apps like ourselves can deliver higher collection rate, leaving less riders stranded late at night, reducing traffic and providing a more efficient (and CHEAP) transport system.

I mean, TfL have confirmed that they have been failing to keep with the fast innovations that happen in tech firms and it’s leaving a big disparity in what customers believe from both the authorities and tech firms. 

“Last month, TfL said current rules are failing to keep up with tech developments, and it was planning to make changes to get tougher on the likes of Uber and other ride-hailing firms. Rules being considered include clearer reporting methods for complaints and emergencies, and potentially women-only rides.”

Compatibility and communication is key in this business. Especially when safety is a priority.

[flexicab-blog]

The End is No-Where Near

There are 2 sides to this innovation coin. Half are behind the idea of having the mind of an algorithm/equation take em to their desired destination and then there’s the other side of of the coin where the very concept of it breeds inhumane ideologies where us commuters plant our complete trust in computer. We’ve all seen Terminator, the risks of AI and the constant movies where Robot-Conquer-Humans. It’s a scary thought right?

London Assembly share the same concerns TfL and have made it explicitly clear that their very skeptical on driverless vehicles on the streets of London. “The opportunity to improve mobility for millions of Londoners is here, but it will require proper planning, transparency and accountability, as well as cooperation with government, boroughs and development companies,” said Keith Prince, chairman of the London Assembly Transport Committee. - source The Telegraph.

So there is positive thought around the concept of having robots driving the public around, but there is a lot of planning and accountability measures that need to happen..which as you know, can take decades with government bodies. But let’s remain open minded and hope the current workforce of drivers in Private Hire are well taken care of as technology slowly becomes a replacement.

[flexicab-blog]

Here’s why FlexiCab works

That’s right, solving issues and helping businesses are awesome ways to pave a new path for a new economy.

As you can see, licensed drivers certified with TfL are emigrating to different cities of the UK as the growing rate of Uber drivers (and their illicit methods) are becoming more and more desperate. The average Uber or taxi app rider averages a cash positive income enough to cover the costs of their hired vehicles, the petrol, lunches and snacks. Situations for drivers are becoming so dire, emigration is now a norm.

Additionally, locality is the increasing issue these cabs are having to deal with because many of these car-hailing apps work with fluidity, meaning they have a tendency to ping drivers off to the next customer wherever they maybe. It’s convenient right? So if you, as a driver, drop off a rider in Enfield, North London and then receive a request in South Cheshunt, where the money is considerably more attractive, the probability of you declining that job will be very minimal.

Now tell us we haven’t solved issue! Locality is our specialty!

[flexicab-blog]

Cashless Cabs -- Thoughts?

In this day and age, we’re attached to convenience and it’s shown substantially in our payment methods and how we operate our expenses today. Contactless cards have sped up the queues, enabled faster commuting, opened doors for businesses with POS systems.

So why don’t we embrace this with our London taxis and minicabs. The UK economy is almost 99% digital and it won’t be long before we’re 100% reliant on digital currency. And yes, Bitcoin too. We at FlexiCab are open to both methods as cannot rule out any generation. The older generation tend to feel more comfortable with physical and the younger generation have entrusted tech companies and banks with their apps. But as the future becomes more apparent, so does the level of convenience when we consider the rate at which the contactless payment method has grown by!

What do you think CASH or CASHLESS?

[flexicab-blog]

Who let the dogs out?! Flex, FlexiPet!

That’s right, when you’re stuck outside in mid-winter with your dog, cat or bowl of Nemos and you want scrap the dull wait for a bus, the urge to car-hail is at it’s highest point of demand. But your car arrives and the driver protests that your beloved pet is the reason he/she won’t take your request. Then you all you get is a cold slap in face, and a cancellation charge. Yeah, not great.

But in the wake of this growing problem, we at FlexiCab have embraced the petting loving nature. All of our partners and drivers accept pets under FlexiPet. Accepted from Goldfish to Golden Retrievers as long as they’re well looked after, and avoid damage. Damages lead to cleaning fees, cleaning fees lead to unhappy riders and yeah, it gets ugly. But more importantly we embrace our pet owner riders, it creates atmosphere and creates memorable moments for our FlexiPet drivers.

But let’s not go over the top here. If you have any lizards, uncaged reptiles or birds, a monkey or exotic (less common) pet then you might want to think twice about requesting a FlexiPet.

[flexicab-blog]

We all like to save a few quid, even pennies

In this piece we decided we’re going to help you out, in how you can save the odd 3-12 quid when riding with the FlexiCab app. Cleverly enough, we’ve incorporated a feature where our trip engine watches your trip rates and calculates how much you spend on our app. The Machine Learning mechanism allows us to pinpoint where you can save incremental pennies or even pounds.

1. Make use of Recommended Pickup Spots

This is monumental leap for us at FlexiCab. We’ve cracked a way where all frequent app riders can save money. Machine Learning is something that is proving very useful across the board, especially in recognising patterns which helps us in support and help meeting your needs.

Our machine monitors your trip history, fare rates and we can begin to work out your behavioural spending patterns. Your pickup and drop-off activities are also useful to us as we can help you save £2-£5 with literally walking 40 metres north, south, east or west. And that is exactly where we desire to help you save you a few quid. All you have have to do is sign up, and we’ll do the legwork.

2. Plan WAAAY Ahead/Expecting Changes

Something we all struggle with but it’s a valuable piece of advice. It’s simple. Schedule a ride. FlexiJeep. Victoria Station to Heathrow Terminal 5. Pick up from end of the station. Night out before? Reschedule pickup up to 30 mins beforehand . Need to stop of at KFC? Add a pre-stop. Want the driver to step on it? Well, pretty self-explanatory that one.

Our goal is flexibility and we want to cater to anything you desire as long you get from A to B on time, safely and with a smile. Any issues and support is there 24/7, 365 days a year (expect never).

3. Spread the Love

And don’t forget we all love collectively saving money, so if you can a friend a favour, send them your FlexiCab promo code. Give a free ride and yes this does mean a Lux for free. And UP TO £10 off their second ride (FlexiCab - £3 off | FlexiJeep - £5 off | FlexiLux - £10 off). Lets all get Flexing in 2018.

30TH JAN - JOIN US FREE!

[flexicab-blog]

The Future is Now

We no longer need to drool over Matt Groening’s transport creativity edge in Futurama.

The future is here and it is moving fast. The applications and developments made by engineering labs, car production and aviation organisations are showing real promise in the fantasy of flying vehicles. Naturally, it’ll be breed one question of efficiency, why don’t we have flying taxis with ride-sharing capabilities?

Would be cool right? Go from Westfields in Stratford to the edge of Hyde Park by Knightsbridge within minutes. Fluid mobility is what this generation should be looking towards, an efficient transportation mechanism that makes the process of travelling very easy and above all, pleasant. This is where the focus of FlexiCab is. We’re developing a system not just for the ease of travelling but also for the knowledge of travelling. Not everyone understands quicker is always better. Maybe we can present this not just by theory with action. But we’ll come back to this.

Flying taxis would be cheap too, less time spent commuting means lower rates of resource consumption resulting in a cheaper fare compared to say a FlexiCab. The reality is around the corner and we should be ready of what’s to come. There will be hurdles, in engineering, regulation maybe even in PR but the truth remains and it lies with the future being now.

Who knows? We could be preparing a service of our own...FlexiAir? Flair?

Here’s a short video of Wanis Kabbaj comparing fluid transportation to the biology of humans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLFK8oSNEM

[flexicab-blog]

The Ongoing War

The tides are shifting in the taxi world.

As much as the public loves the the newly trending ease of using apps and the concept of tap and go, most are unaware of the bitter disputes between Black Cab taxi drivers and the Private Hire world in London.

It’s clear that apps are for more easier to use. They’re usually free to download, they require minimal effort and majority of the time, you barely have to say a word. With Black Cabs, there’s the tedious process of flagging down the cab for attention, your destination request and then the awkward price estimation talk. However Black Cabs generally know everything there is in London. Name a pub, they know it. Name a monument, they know it. They’re London’s very own Travel Encyclopaedia.

Now there is a difference between the two. Black cabs must be flagged down and Private Hire vehicles must be pre-booked. TfL have made this notion very clear. But as technology develops, apps are becoming increasingly popular. This is what’s triggered the War even more so. It’s been going on for decades but it’s never become a such a trending topic that has left the nation wondering: what is the future of London taxis?

[flexicab-blog]

The Future of Car Hailing

How will car hailing look like in the next 5 years?

Car hailing has been newly introduced to this generation in the wake of Uber. But that doesn’t mean they’ll be the future of the well known tap and go. It is car hailing that has made commuting very smooth and open up the doors to the gig economy.

And it’s clear that it’s overtaken the the traditional method of pre-booking the local cabby. Back in November this year, Rory Cellan-Jones (Technology Correspondent at the BBC) confirmed this overly stressed statement from the Treasury where UK Chancellor controls the yearly budget,  “I put this to the Treasury and an email came winging back with this line in block capitals: YES - THIS WOULD MEAN FULL SELF-DRIVING CARS WITH NOBODY BEHIND THE WHEEL.“ (Source BBC News website)

This is the future of Car Hailing, empty vehicles pulling up to our locations powered by ??? (maybe us), with all the amenities we desire without any human intervention. Drivers will be around to deliver us from here to there but cutting out the middle man has always be the notion of the gig economy. We see a decrease in the driving workforce and an increase the autonomous vehicle range.

We’re working towards balancing the number across a platform where all parties generate a take home sum based upon their of work rate. Driverless are to be cars to be spread equally for this model to work. Yes we realise jobs will disappear but if we levitate the current work force and have them work for a more hands on almost bespoke service (or even consultancy to improve robot customer service). Either way we can both on the road and still run successfully. But let’s see what the future holds for us. Join us next year, keep an eye on our progress.

[flexicab-blog]

The Brand Story

How did FlexiCab come to be?

In the summer of 2016, our founder Daniel Vernon formed an idea from a market which was and still is an untapped market. The idea was to level the playing field where all the current ride-hailing apps undermined. This was the minicab business which began to feel the pressure in 2013 onwards from the growing usage of the well known tap and go concept. 

So Daniel decided that was all about to change. Poof, FlexiCab! FlexiCab (Flexi•Cab - prefix of flexibility) was to create an umbrella for all kinds of drivers. Have a car (of your choice*) pull beside up you whether it’s a car from an operator in Camden or a newbie from Shepherd’s Bush. It’ll be there. Expect nothing less. But the fare ;).

After months of surveying, market research, and basic inquisitions with drivers and operators, he discovered that the majority of all operators across all boroughs of London were finding it hard to compete with the forever growing taxi app world. They pleaded and still pleading for a solution today. 

So today we stand here strong, ready to help any drivers, operators and even newbies get back on the road, make the daily rounds and walk away with a tidy sum. Knowing all above that’ll be heard, listen to and taken seriously.

2018. Let’s build a force of unified drivers. Join FlexiCab. Get you flex on!

[flexicab-blog]

Who are we?

Get flexible, get FlexiCab!

Welcome! We are the newest car hailing app on the block. As a London based app, we’re desperate to merge show our app to you. You can have a car within your reach within in minutes. Experienced drivers who know London like the back of their hand.

It's simple!

Open up the app, punch in your destination and a FlexiCab will be within your reach in matter of minutes. Whether you’re going to the airport or across town, there’s a FlexiCab for every occasion. – download the app and take your first trip today.

Here's what makes FlexCab special:

- Pay with cash: You can choose to go completely cash-free or flaunt some notes!

- Event/Scheduled Pickups: We offer rides directly to events within a 15 minute drive. Conveninent for days and nights out  

- Speedy Arrivals: We do our best to ensure FlexiCabs are within your destination in minutes. Locality is our priority.

- Return Trips (Coming this October) : Like to save money on quick trips? Save money with discounted return trips scheduled at any time