Hiring a private taxi company could provide a superior travel experience, far better than hailing a ride or taking public transportation. This is true in cases where you want to reach your destination in time and have a lot of luggage to handle.
In the UK, there are hundreds, if not thousands of taxi companies offering airport transfer services. And this begs the question, “which private hire taxi to select for my next ride?”
In this guide, we will be exploring the 8 different factors that you need to consider before choosing the right service provider for a smooth and comfortable ride. Bookmark this blog, so that you can always refer back to it.
Here are some tips for you:
Determine Location
Before booking a ride, you need to first determine that your specific taxi company operates in that area. While many companies operate through all major cities of the UK, offering pick and drop to and from airports and seaports, not all companies are the same.
Based on your needs, contact the company beforehand and make sure that it serves in the urban or the countryside to avoid any inconvenience.
Superior Comfort
When you are paying for a dedicated taxi service that is not shared with anyone, you have all rights to expect the best in comfort. Do not compromise your comfort on this. Determine what type of ride you need to book.
Are you going to attend a large party and you have a number of members along with yourself? Do you have a lot of luggage? Choose a company that offers ample legroom, luxurious seating, heated/cooled seats, WiFi, and a working air conditioning system for a relaxing and comfortable ride.
But it doesn’t end here. You also need to confirm the safety features such as airbags, brakes and other elements to ensure you have a safe ride from point A to B.
Costs of trips
While comfort, luxury and safety should be your top priorities, we also need to look at the actual costs and any hidden charges everytime you book your order. Decide on a company that does not drill a hole in your wallet.
The best approach is to reach out to multiple companies and get quotes before deciding on the best one. Remember though, the most affordable may not offer the best services. Hence, there should be a balance between price and quality.
Always inquire about other fees, such as tolls or waiting charges. Taxi companies like Elite Airport Transfer, always charge you at the time of pre-booking, eliminating you from additional charges or hidden fees.
Reputation is Everything
Reviews and ratings matter far more than anything else. Every company strives to be at the top of search results by staying relevant for their target market, and that is no different for any reliable taxi company.
Take a look at the reviews and see what the least ones, i.e. 1-star and 2-star reviews look like. These reviews clearly explain the level of quality a company provides.
Check for feedback on various points such as driver professionalism, cleanliness of the vehicles, comfort and punctuality. We have a rating of no less than 4.5 on Google, which shows that we are a reliable company to go with.
Great Customer Service
Exceptional customer service goes a long way in providing a stress-free experience. Select a company that has their email, chat and telephone support. This way you can always reach out to them and get connected with an agent. If it takes too long to connect, it is better to pass for another service provider. You don’t want to wait in a long line especially if you’re stuck in a big problem on the road!
Booking System
A user-friendly intuitive booking system is imperative for having repeat buyers for any taxi service. A good company will keep on improving their booking system, making it easy and seamless to book and cancel the rides in minutes. Almost all taxi companies now offer some sort of online booking, in the form of websites or mobile applications.
Those that rely on you to call them for booking, are probably not the best company to choose. You need to be able to look at the quote, the executive cars, and other services visually before placing the order.
Safety First: Pristine Vehicles
Safety and comfort are a match made in heaven. Hence, a safe and luxurious ride is what you need to make the best out of your every trip. A good airport transfer service will have great upkeep and maintenance of their vehicles having a clean interior and top notch safety features.
Vehicles that are regularly maintained, and in good condition, ensure the best ride for the customers. You can look this up by reading the reviews on Google because riders are quick to judge the condition of the car the moment they step inside the vehicle.
Vehicle Size
You cannot blame a local taxi company for charging you exorbitant prices because you booked a minivan for just 3 people. Why? That’s because prices vary based on your needs and the accompanying luggage/passengers.
Good airport transfer companies allow you to select from a range of their own vehicles based on your needs. At Elite Airport Transfer, you can opt for an eco-friendly Prius, or a more luxurious Mercedes. You do not need to feel cramped if you have a lot of luggage. Similarly, choosing a small vehicle for more than 5 people is also going to be very uncomfortable for you. At Elite Airport Transfer, we offer a range of vehicles that you can choose from.
Why Considering These Factors is Important?
It is important to take into account the above factors for many reasons, the primary one being safety and comfort. Second, you need to ensure that you are working with a private hire taxi that does not overcharge you for their services.
Last but not the least, if you are a frequent traveller, you want to booking rides with a company on a long term basis, so that you can always rely on them every time you want a pick and drop service.
