FonaCAB adds another 40 drivers to its ranks as it buys out two independent Co Down firms - and says service will improve
FonaCAB has just bought over two more taxi firms, and says that all the office staff and drivers have been offered to stay on.
The firm’s spokesman Stephen Anton said that customers in the Banbridge area can expect better 24 hour coverage, and that the firm aims to hire more drivers in the area (and across the Province generally).
The two firms which which have been bought over are Bann Taxis and Q Cabs in Banbridge.
Between them, the two have about 40 drivers.
FonaCAB overall has over 1,200.
Q Cabs posted on Facebook that “after 29 incredible years serving our community, the time has come to say goodbye to Q Cabs”.
"A huge thank you to all our drivers, past and present, for the countless hours, miles and conversations that helped make Q Cabs the company it became,” the post said.
"Your hard work and dedication have been at the heart of everything we achieved.
“To our office staff, past and present – thank you for keeping everything moving behind the scenes, often under immense pressure, and for the commitment you showed to Q Cabs over the years.
“And finally, to our customers – thank you.”
And in a Facebook message signed off by “Jim, Joseph and Paul”, Bann Taxis said the takeover is “the end of an era”, and it likewise thanked its staff, drivers and customers saying it “has been a privilege to serve the local community and to have been part of so many journeys, occasions and memories”.
It added: “While Bann Taxis comes to an end today, we are pleased to announce that fonaCAB will be taking over the service, with the same familiar drivers continuing to serve customers under the new company.
"Although the name is changing, the people you know will still be behind the wheel.”
Earlier this year, FonaCAB had bought over Mahoods in Carrickfergus, which had about 60 drivers.
Several years ago it bought up Anytime Taxis, Autocabs, Call-A-Cab, Check Cabs, Eden, K Jays and Minicabs Taxis – all in the Craigavon area.
Mr Anton said that one of the Banbridge firms it was taking over now had no app, and that one of them was struggling to provide 24 hour cover.
"Hopefully customers will see improvements,” he said, adding “we’ve a much bigger supply of drivers so we should be able to offer a more consistent 24 hour service”.
Fares will not go up, he said, because taxi prices are controlled by the Department for Infrastructure “and it’s exactly the same rates that Q and Bann Taxis are on”.
The phone numbers for Bann and Q will be retained, and neither office will be closed “in the short term” (but “we need to get our feet under the table and see what the demand is”).
“Everyone who either drove or worked for Q or Bann Taxis was offered a position with FonaCAB,” he said.
He said taxi availability should improve because there are now more taxis from the surrounding region that can be called on during times of high demand, “so the people of Banbridge will have access to a larger pool of drivers”.
Mr Anton also said that both Bann and Q had approached FonaCAB looking to sell, rather than vice-versa – something that was also the case with Mahoods earlier in the year.
Among the comments underneath Bann’s Facebook announcement was one from Michelle Copeland of Banbridge, who said: “Never thought I'd ever be reading this.
"Worked 19 years in Bann, we had so many laughs over the years and a few tears along the way…
"Everything changes at some point, unfortunately.
"The end of an era.”