Getting around UK might be challenging. Big cities with busy roads like Birmingham, London, or Manchester where transportation options and traffic can affect your travelling decisions. Either you want to commute for work, university, running any errand, or exploring cities, transportation plays crucial role. The two most common options for commuting among UK are Taxi Service probably known as Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles (PHV). They might sound similar at first place but there is distinction among them. And the question is Which one is more convenient?
Knowing the difference among taxi service and private hire can make easier to choose right service based on personal need. As most of things are digitalize, similarly new ride hailing apps and online booking services have emerged lately. While Taxi being traditional form of transportation is still very common among citizens. Booking taxi follows traditional methods like catching it off the street. Whereas, private hire offers mobile applications for pre booking the ride.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons, major differences, shift of interest of people toward transportation, or which option is popular among them, focusing on cost, comfort, convenience, availability, and safety.
Understanding the Basics: What Are Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles?
It is essential to understand the legal definition of taxi hire and private hire. Both have distinctive difference among them.
Taxi Hire: Taxi often known as Black Cabs in London and Hackney Carriage in other cities of UK. This mode of transportation is here for centuries. These are Licensed public vehicles that can be:
- Directly hailed from the streets or found at designated taxi ranks
- Display “Taxi” sign on the roof
- Local authorities regulate taxis, charges based on metered system
The iconic black cabs in London are famous for their interiors and driver’s knowledge as they expert in navigating among city’s roads.
Private Hire Vehicles: Private hire cars, also known as minicabs, booked through Licensed operators. These vehicles are:
- Pre-booked via an app, mobile, or website
- Cannot pick a person off the street without prior booking
- Offer variety of vehicles with fixed price fares
Ride-hailing companies like Uber, Ola, Bolt, NavHoo, and other local minicab operators offers private hire services.
Convenience Comparison: Private Hire Vs Taxi Hire in UK
Let’s compare the services both transportation methods offer to public. Diving into detailed analysis of both, this article will help you to make decision.
1- Booking and Availability:
There is a keen difference in booking process of traditional cabs and online booking cabs. And the accessibility and availability of both are important to know while making a ride.
Taxi: Can be easily found in city center or designated taxi ranks. It can be directly hailed from the street without any prior booking. It makes them a good choice for random trips which have to be made immediately. Availability in quieter areas or during peak times (rush hour, weekends) can be challenging.
Private Hire: These vehicles require advance booking via an app, or digital platform. Customer has to provide their current location, drop-off location, and Offers real-time tracking and estimated arrival times. It is popular when punctuality is essential. But there is limited availability among rural areas.
Booking a pre-ordered service offers certainty, helps to schedule in advance, reducing the time wastage, and pick up from exact location.
2- Licensing and Regulation:
Both taxi and private hire are strictly subjected to licensing and regulatory requirements:
Taxi: are strictly regulated by local council. Drivers undergo deep background check and need to pass Knowledge Test especially in London. The vehicle must meet all safety standards. The price fare transparency is maintained through metered system.
Private Hire: are also strictly regulated according to local authorities. Drivers and vehicle must meet all quality standards and safety measures. Unless, drivers do not have to pass any knowledge test. Offers in-app tracking, fares are fixed during booking.
Due to rigorous security check and licensing taxis remain the safer choice for travelling, but again it all depends upon customer choice.
3- Vehicle Type and Ride Experience:
There is a vast difference in vehicle type of taxi and private cabs.
Taxi: are built for a purpose, often with specific colors and symbols. Making it identifiable among other cars. It offers larger, wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Drivers have extensive knowledge of city navigation. They know the city just like google map. Mostly have basic car interiors, with some modern cabs offering card payments and Wi-Fi.
Private Cab: it offers wide variety of vehicles from standard to luxury cars. Allow customers to choose car to their liking and affordability. It can be a private ride for business meeting to group of friends riding for a trip. It offers services like rating the driver, SOS emergency features, live tracking and sharing.
We can clearly say that private cabs are more convenient and reliable for long travels, comfort, and luxury.
4- Pricing Structure:
The pricing structure for both taxi and private cabs are significantly different:
Taxi: The local council or authorities sets the metered system for fare calculation. The cost is calculated by measuring the distance travel and time taken to reach the destination. Moreover, additional charges are often applied for waiting times, luggage’s, and long-distance. But there is no surge pricing in taxi service and prices only rises at night time often.
Private Car: it offers fixed pricing before booking the cab. It helps the customer by eliminating the risk of unexpected charges. Private cab services offer discounts that make customers to enjoy cheaper rides. But surge pricing is applied during peak hours that raises fare much high that cause inconvenience for customers.
Both options are considerable for travelling, taxi usually don’t add surge prices keeping it affordable in peak hours. Whereas, private cab services offer fixed prices before booking that provide clarity to customer.
Which Is the Best Taxi Alternative in the UK?
Both taxi and private hire offers reliability and comfort rides. Serving different purposes and catering different needs of customers. The choice is completely dependent upon customer’s specific need.
Taxi service offers quick ride without pre-booking, allow most safe and reliable rides in a city which is not known to customer. Also it is easily available among the city. Customer can get ride whenever they need. On the other hand, private cab services offer fixed pricing before ride and discount offers. Customer need to pre-book the cab providing comfortable and personalized experience.
With the ride-hailing apps, private hire service is going on top in UK becoming best alternative for transportation. Due to their ease of booking and modern features. However, traditional travelers still prefer taxi service. Traditional taxis will always have a place for those needing instant, regulated, and accessible travel.
If you are looking for online ride hailing service, consider riding with Navhoo. Our policies and strict regulations makes it safe, reliable, and affordable option for riders. Our experienced drivers and comfortable vehicles are committed to provide best riding experience to you. Book us today.
