Sheffield’s two largest private hire cab firms are set to join a partnership that will create a new business with over 1,400 drivers in its fleet.
An Exciting Chapter
City Taxis and Mercury Taxis will unite on 1st June and trade under the name City Taxis with Mercury cabs being re-branded. The move comes after bosses say that competition and the demand for taxis in the city has never been so high.
City Taxis managing director, Arnie Singh, said: “At a time when competition for business within the taxi industry is increasing, this merger and consolidation is a significant and important move for both companies. It also provided a suitable exit route for the shareholders of Mercury Taxis in light of their desire to retire from playing an active role in the business.
“Our drivers will be able to access fares across the entire city and well into the surrounding areas such as Rotherham, North Derbyshire and Barnsley. City Taxis will strengthen its position as everyone’s ‘local’ taxi company and provide a very strong service in every Sheffield postcode and beyond.”
“This merger and consolidation is a significant and important move for both companies”
Bigger and Better
City Taxis currently employ 85 members of office staff and it will attain a further 39 from Mercury Taxis once merged. The staff will be based at its new headquarters at Waterside Court and will assist in processing approximately 110,000 fares per week as well as managing its 1,000 public and private sector accounts.
Mercury Taxis general manager, Dermot Griffiths, said: “We sought a merger with another company because we believe that being part of a larger organisation such as City Taxis will allow us to provide a wider array of coverage for our drivers and customers alike. A larger organisation will also mean our staff and drivers will benefit from even more chances to develop.
“City Taxis shares the same values we do. Before agreeing to a merger we held extensive talks which exceeded our expectations. We are looking forward to all our staff having a new and exciting working environment and our combined customer base receiving even better levels of service.”
Bosses have announced that fares will stand and all telephone numbers will be unaffected by the change.