taxidepotmag.com

There are people who are natural born entrepreneurs. They may have grown up in a family of business owners. If you have a love for driving, you may be interested in being an independent taxi cab driver. With the freedom to be your own boss, work hours that you choose and not have anyone telling you what to do, this occupation may be perfect for you. Do you live in a city where your business can thrive? Do you have a knack for getting along with people and a love for driving? If your answer is “yes” then follow the steps below to learn how to become an independent taxi cab driver.

1. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for information about obtaining the proper license to drive a taxi. You may be required to have a professional chauffeurs license. Ask about the age requirements to drive a taxi. You may have to be at least 25 years old and have at least 3 years of experience behind the wheel, plus a good driving record and a clean background check. For some on-the-job training, you may want to seek an apprenticeship driving for one of the taxi services in your area. If you can do this for a period of time, you will be more comfortable driving your own taxi. It will also give you an idea of what to charge your clients. You should have a meter installed in your car to know how many miles you’ve driven and possibly a GPS tracking system, so you can know where you are going.
2. Speaking of vehicles, do you own one? If not you could lease one from a taxi service. The lease may include maintenance and insurance, but it will be expensive. You may have to work long hours to make the payment. As a self employed business owner you may be eligible for a small business grant. There are many small business grants available, so do your research first, and if you are eligible you may not have to worry about leasing a taxi cab. If you would rather own your own taxi, you may not have to finance the vehicle. Some professionals suggest taking a defensive driving course if you’re going to drive a taxi cab. Some suggest taking a small business class. Learn all about being a small business owner to better prepare yourself before becoming an independent taxi cab driver.
3. You must also take into consideration advertising expenses. You can advertise online, in the local newspaper and using flyers and business cards. This can be expensive, so if you are applying for a small business grant, be sure to include advertising fees in your business plan. Be prepared to drive in all kinds of weather, plus know something about car maintenance as well. Carry a flashlight with you along with a first aid kit, flares, a warm blanket, a cell phone and maps of the area. Brush up on your people skills. Be kind and courteous to your clients, so they will call you the next time they need a taxi.

There is a new mission at Taxidepot’s studios, it is about a checker cab remake-restoration-rehab project. We have the main body recovered, and about 60% of the engine ready. The new restored checker cab will hit the New York streets in 2011, we can’t wait!!! we are already in love with this iconic Cab.

BEIJING TAXI is a feature-length documentary that vividly portrays the ancient capital of China undergoing a profound transformation. The intimate lives of three taxi drivers are seen through a humanistic lens as they navigate a quickly morphing city, confronting modern issues and changing values. The three protagonists radiate a warm sense of humanity despite the struggles that each faces in adapting to new realities of life in the modern city. With stunning imagery of Beijing and a contemporary score rich in atmosphere, BEIJING TAXI communicates a visceral sense of the common citizens’ persistent attempts to grasp the elusive. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games serve as the backdrop for BEIJING TAXI’s story, a coming out party for a rising nation and a metaphor for Chinese society and its struggles to reconcile enormous contradictions while adjusting to a new capitalist system that can seem foreign to some in the Communist-ruled and educated society. Candid and perceptive in its filming approach and highly cinematic and moody in style, BEIJING TAXI takes us on a lyrical journey through fragments of a society riding the bumpy roads to modernization. Though its destination unknown, the drivers continue to forge ahead.

Best taxi wishes for 2011!!!! We hope all your taxi related business start on the right track and continue growing throughout the year. We are sure we can help with all your taxi resolutions for this brand new year, count on us!!..and if you haven’t thought so, we got you some insider tips.

PLASTIC TAXI

We believe there is always room to make your business more attractive, effective and competitive. One unavoidable trend is the power to accept credit cards in your cab, tell the world you can accept credit cards, and make a big deal about it. Use the body of your taxi to tell the public you mean taxi business from inside out.

TAXI BRANDING

A simple effective way to start right on track with taxi-branding involves the selection of the right roof-light (taxi dome light) This is what will capture the eye of potential customers from far away. Basic. Now, if you want to go further than that, then infuse some personality in your cab but trust this job to a graphic designer: we are talking about your logo, your catchy name, the right colors, the power of iconography, etc. Ultimately you can grow uniformly a web+corporate presence which, make no mistake, will translate into more clients.

FLEET OMNIPRESENCE

If your company is mind set into a positive strategy to make your business more profitable, then a low cost dispatch system capable of integrating all communications, credit card transactions and GPS tracking is the way to go. Although this may sound intimidating price wise, in the long run is priceless (Oh well). There are always features you might never use from these complex systems, and you probably are interested in some features more than in others. The key is to be able to find a system that fits your needs and gets you the best value for your money.

Have in mind that you will pay monthly airtime per car for data communications. This normally is a fixed fee. However, if your dispatch system is capable of digital communications, forget about your two way radios and take advantage of the data stream. You can also take advantage of text communications and instant messaging; see it as a new dimension in mobile communications.

Well, we feel we did our part. The moment of truth has come and it is time for you to decide: do I want my company to continue living in the stone age, or am I ready to take a jump into the twenty first century technology.

WOW, I’m really happy about finding all vintage ads from my Kalamazoo’s favorite Child, in this occasion: a Checker Diesel Cab. If you know where I can see more like this let us know!!!

This picture was found at http://www.taxi-library.org/