Cab boss expanding with launch of new taxi service in resort
A Well-known cab firm boss is launching a new taxi operation in Llandudno. Chris O’neal is behind the Premier taxi name in Bangor - one of the biggest cab firms in north west Wales.
His previous operation, Premier Cars Bangor Ltd, went into liquidation last summer after being “battered” by Covid and hit by legislation changes over self employed drivers. It left liabilities of nearly £294,000.
But he formed Premier Group North Wales and says that this had proved a success as the economy emerged from the pandemic.
Now he will launch an offshoot of the Premier brand from Council Street West in Llandudno which he says will mean the brands will now cover from Llangefni to Colwyn Bay.
He says he plans to modernise the offer in Llandudno with digital booking points at hotels and hospitality venues so people can book them on an app.
He said: “We have just received our operators licence and we will look to be in operation within three to four weeks. We will be bringing up to date phone tech with most bookings done on the app. We will be approaching all the hotels in the coming weeks to see if they will take a taxi booker for reception.
“Our aim is to have a taxi with people within seven minutes and we will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have also thought about the safety side so when someone books they get a text with the driver’s badge, a picture of them and contact details so it is safe for customers. They know exactly who is picking them up. For our drivers we have a panic button that then links to the app and records what is happening, and also means we can call the police if required.”
He said they will have 10 vehicles within three months and he hopes to increase this to 35 within a year.
He also said that he wants 70% of their vehicles to be hybrid or electric but he added driver recruitment was challenging in the sector.
He added: “Back in the pandemic Covid battered us, we struggled and went through the mill with it. But we changed systems and started again and we are flying now.
“At the moment we cover up to just before Llanfairfechan - this will extend where Premier operates - we’ll be going right from Llangefni to Colwyn Bay.”