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Com Cab email to drivers....

The last year has been one of the toughest our industry has ever seen and an extremely difficult time for our drivers. Throughout this time, our priority has been to try to keep your wheels turning and do what we can to protect the interests of you our drivers, staff, and customers.  

The ongoing impact of the pandemic has meant we have had to look at new ways to safeguard the future of our business and make it sustainable for the long term.  

To meet these challenges, we decided that the company would be better served under new ownership.  So, we are pleased to announce that we have entered into an agreement with Addison Lee for them to take the business forward as the new owners of the London operations of Computer Cab PLC (ComCab), City Fleet Networks, and Flightlink, following their proposed purchase of the businesses. ComCab Aberdeen and Liverpool businesses are not part of this transaction. It’s expected that the transaction will complete in early July. 

Addison Lee will be retaining the ComCab brand and keeping its identity as London’s leading black taxi firm. ComCab will continue to operate as a separate taxi brand, with its own enhanced app, booking channels and marketing.   

The opportunity for partnership  

Addison Lee is a born and bred London business and the market leader in premium private hire in the capital. It is once again being run by Liam Griffin and his team who have many years of experience in the industry and a strong track record of looking after drivers. As a business focused on quality and safety, we are excited to be joining forces with an iconic brand that shares many of the same values. 

While historically we may have competed, today we believe there are more opportunities to be gained through partnership. We believe that now is the moment to unite against a common threat and take the fight to the app-only companies who have undermined the reputation of the industry and damaged us all.   

Together, as London’s largest taxi and private hire fleet, we will become a formidable competitor in the capital, offering quality, safety, and service at scale.   

Access to new customers  

The team at Addison Lee are huge admirers of ComCab and the iconic black taxi product.  

They recognise that black taxi drivers have a wealth of professionalism and knowledge and know there is strong demand from their existing customers for black taxis alongside their current services.    

By bringing together Addison Lee and ComCab under one ownership, we’re giving drivers access to a wider pool of customers and more opportunities for work. This means you’ll benefit from access to Addison Lee’s extensive and growing book of business customers – made up of some of the capital’s biggest corporates, including 80% of the FTSE 100.  

The new partnership will also increase work volumes for ComCab drivers through enhanced marketing, increased investments in technology, electric vehicles and improved customer service and choice.    

Looking ahead  

Black taxi and private hire drivers have played a huge role in keeping London moving during the pandemic. And as people start to travel around the city once again, both will have a vital role to play in offering customers the safety, reliability, and quality they demand.  

We have every confidence that Addison Lee will be a trusted and responsible steward of our business, and we see this partnership as a vote of confidence in the long-term prospects of the taxi trade. We believe it will provide a strong platform for growth after such a challenging year.  

By bringing together the best of the black taxi and private hire industry, we are safeguarding the long-term prospects of both businesses – for the benefit of drivers, staff, and customers alike. 

Next steps  

Once this process has been completed in the next few weeks, we will be able to share more information with you. However, in the meantime, please do get in touch with the Fleet Services team if you have any questions or concerns, and we will be happy to address them.   

FAQs 

Will ComCab continue to operate as a separate brand? 

Yes, absolutely. Addison Lee will be retaining the ComCab brand and keeping its identity as London’s leading black taxi firm. This means ComCab will continue to operate as a separate brand, with its own enhanced app, booking channels and marketing.   

Will there be changes to how work is allocated to drivers?  

No. Addison Lee recognises that black taxi drivers have a wealth of professionalism and knowledge and know there is strong demand from their existing customers for black taxis alongside their current services.  

That means ComCab drivers will benefit from access to Addison Lee’s extensive and growing book of business customers – made up of some of the capital’s biggest corporates, including 80% of the FTSE 100.  

This will create more opportunities for work by giving ComCab drivers access to a wider pool of customers – many of whom want the flexibility to choose to travel in black taxis.    

Why did you choose Addison Lee to take the business forward? 

Like us, Addison Lee has a strong tradition of serving Londoners and we share many of the same values. The firm is once again being run by Liam Griffin and his team who have many years of experience in the industry and a strong track record of looking after drivers.  

We have every confidence that Addison Lee will be a trusted and responsible steward of our business - helping us to safeguard our future, protect the interests of our people, and provide us with a platform for growth.  

And while historically we may have competed, today there are more opportunities to be gained by joining forces to unite against a common threat from the app-only companies.  

What does this mean for the future of black taxis in London? 

We see this partnership as a vote of confidence in the long-term prospects of the taxi trade, and a recognition that black taxis are highly valued by customers. 

By bringing together London’s largest taxi and private hire fleets, we will become a formidable competitor in the capital - offering quality, safety, and service at scale.  

This will allow us to take the fight to the app-only companies who have undermined the reputation of the industry and damaged us all.   

Will my terms and conditions change? Will there be any changes to commission?  

Addison Lee wants to help drivers to maximise their earnings. Commission structure may be reviewed in future to ensure that drivers are on the best deal to maximise their earnings.   

Will Addison Lee be investing in electric black taxis? 

Like us, Addison Lee is committed to working towards a safer, more sustainable future for mobility in London. While we don’t have specific details at this point, we do know the business will be exploring options for prioritising newer, zero emission vehicles across the entire PHV and black taxi fleet.  

What size is the Addison Lee fleet?