The Association operated successfully for twelve years building an unequalled reputation for a quality service. Therefore because of its success the Association was then dissolved and the company of Radio Taxis (Southampton) Limited was registered in November 1984.

The Limited Company is owned by fifty Shareholders and along with a large number of contracted Owner-drivers operates the current fleet of approximately two hundred & Fifteen Hackney Carriages & Private Hire Vehicles. This in turn involves approximately three hundred & thirty drivers to keep the vehicles available twenty fours hours a day, three hundred and sixty five days a year

The commitment to provide the best Taxi and Private Hire service possible has led to the Company investing heavily into new technology and equipment over recent years. The long-range radio system, the computerised call taking system and the secure data transfer system has, through continual development, improved the accuracy of the information both from the customer and to the drivers.

 

For approximately 8 years the Company very successfully operated its own in house Data System, however after those early years where development of this technology was very slow, it soon became apparent that the new communication technology was advancing very quickly and the Company could not afford to ignore the various facilities now available. Therefore once again the Company has invested and modernised its systems but this time using a tried and tested system that shows potential to develop even more new facilities in the future. 

 

The facilities that have or are being currently developed for its customers are to enable the use of the Company’s web site www.radtax.co.uk to book their taxis and to pay by credit card, for customers to be able to make bookings using their mobile phones and authorised customers to be able to automatically book regular trips using touch tone phones. Currently customers can ask for “Ringback, and the driver will ring the customer’s phone once to inform them the taxi is waiting outside. This is especially helpfully at crowded functions or restricted parking areas. In–Car credit card facilities will also be available soon.

Radio Taxis (Southampton) Ltd. has always pushed the boundaries to expand the services to customers and its members and all other local Taxi and Private Hire companies have tried to keep up with its advances. It was the first with computerised booking and dispatch systems which are run fully automatically and this coupled with its extensive and thorough accounts package gives the Company an unequalled quality and efficiency appreciated by its many corporate and private customers.

 

The Company is always looking towards further future development and has noted with interest the current trends in technology. Radio Taxis (Southampton) Ltd. has always been a leader in the Taxi and Private Hire trade and intends to remain so for a long time to come.

 

 

Radio Taxis (Southampton) Ltd. has always been committed to improving the standard of Taxi and Private Hire Services in the area of Southampton. The Company believes that these standards can be extended to all outlying areas and intends to initiate a network of companies to give all our customers a smooth and high standard of operational service no matter where they travel in this country.

Also it is the Company’s intention to improve the security and standard of work for all owners and drivers of Taxis or Private Hire vehicles associated with the company. These two basic goals will be to the benefit of everyone.

The Company will continue to develop systems and be open to all innovations the future brings.

The governing bodies in this country still to a large extent restricts and discourages the necessary development of businesses and technological improvements that would benefit at a reasonable cost the majority of people living in and funding this very country as well as the environment. With so many people, skills, companies and industries being driven from the country the remaining few that are still working are now paying a high price to keep the country functioning. Apathy, lack of any standards, distrust in all authority, waste of resources and personal greed is slowly choking the economy and it should be remembered it is easier to lose than to gain.

 

With the opening up to the world markets via the internet and the effort to standardise the monetary systems, it was hoped it would encourage every country’s development, but again with little control over international terrorism and crime these hopes are being undermined. The Company hopes that the governments will eventually realise they are there to work for the betterment of the people they represent and then maybe we can return to improving everyone lives. The Company does not intend to just give up like others already have and it intends to keep on working towards a better future for all.