Owning or managing a taxi business requires a combination of skill, patience, and determination. This is particularly true these days when ride-sharing schemes – among other modes of transportation – are rampant. You need to think of ways to stand out from your competition.  You must have an edge to stay in the game.

Word of mouth – although still one of the best ways to market a product or service – is not enough anymore. There’s certainly a need to widen the marketing net to target more prospects. You have to bring out the big guns to encourage commuters to choose riding a cab over taking the bus or the train.

The hitch that most taxi operators encounter with this plan is money. Not all taxi companies have ample budget for marketing. Small taxi operators find it hard to compete with the companies because of financial limitations. But, this shouldn’t be the case.

Take our company for instance. Universal Taxi in Chicago is not the biggest taxi company in the Windy City, but it surely is one of the most reliable and top-rated. Why? Because aside from providing high-quality service, we reach out to Chicago commuters – locals and tourists alike – in different ways. How?

 

• We optimize the online world.

 

The internet is a big, big world. It can be pretty overwhelming if you don’t know how to properly navigate it. But we find ways to effectively promote the services we offer. For example, we now have a Universal Taxi app to make it easy for our clients and prospects to book our services. We use Chicago online forums to reach out to commuters and inform them how we can help make their travel convenient. We have social media channels where passengers can get in touch with us. They can ask us anything – from making a reservation to schedule confirmation.

Social media plays a huge part in marketing any kind of business, especially in the transportation industry. Practically everything can be searched online. There are apps specifically created to provide directions, assess road movement, and spot traffic areas. By getting current with these tools, you can encourage commuters who use online resources and apps to try the services you offer.

 

• We provide topnotch service.

The online world can only do so much. The bottom line will always be the quality of service you give to your clients. That’s where word of mouth comes in. If you consistently provide high-quality service to your passengers – like we do at Universal Taxi – they will trust you to deliver every time. And then they’ll become regular clients who will most likely recommend your company to others.

There is no marketing strategy more effective than showing your market that you can provide the services they need. And that stems from the efforts of everyone in the company – not just the taxi drivers, but also the personnel who handles bookings, the admin who manages web marketing, and even the all-around help who washes the cabs.

Effectively promoting your taxi business starts with effectively providing the services you offer.   

Across the country, you will encounter different kinds of cab companies. Because of this, some people may get confused when visiting or moving to a different state. If you’re hoping to get into the business, or would like to find out more about the usual Universal Taxi cabbies driving you around, it’s important to understand how different each cab company is from the others.

Medallions

In a lot of major cities, there is a limit placed on the number of taxis allowed in the streets. After all, if you allow every cabbie wannabe to start picking up passengers, then you’ll probably have more traffic than the city streets can handle, not to mention an influx of untrustworthy drivers taking people from point A to point B. Thus the medallion system.

Buying medallions are required if you want to drive people around. Some cities that use medallions are New York and Boston. These days however, because of the threat of competition from ridesharing services, the prices of medallions have been trending down.

So if you chance upon a cabbie who does not have a medallion, it’s possible that his service is illegal.

Ownership

Cab companies may also be independently-owned, while others are controlled by huge companies. Independent cabs usually has only one driver with a single unit. As far as huge companies are concerned however, they would often have over a hundred cabs under their name.

Of course, the cab drivers aren’t really considered as employees of these companies. More often than not, these cabbies are still independent drivers who are merely leasing the taxi by the hour.

Chicago Cabs

In Chicago, cabbies also buy medallions to be able to drive people around in the taxis they either own or lease. There are quite a number of cabs around, but it can get pretty tough to hail a cab especially during the rush hour when there are ten other people trying to wave to the same cab you saw. It’s great that cab companies like Universal Taxi have their own mobile app, which allows the user to just stay put, book a cab, and wait for it to pick them up.

Some cabs have medallions, while some risk the chance of driving around without the proper permission from the government. Some own the taxi they drive around, while others just lease the unit for now and hope that later on they’ll be able to save up for their own. Some cab companies just let their drivers roam around and pick up passengers at random, while some offer the convenience of having the taxi pick the passenger up at a specific location with just a few taps on a mobile gadget. Truly, the cab industry has grown so much that you’ll encounter so many different kinds of cabbies and cab companies in a single day. If one thing’s for sure though, it’s the fact that cabs still offer the most convenient way of moving from one point in the city to another.

Chicago cabbies are not just known for their superb driving skills, they are also known for being friendlier than other cabbies around the country, or even the world. They are, after all, used to driving tourists all over the city. And knowing what a beautiful city this is, they’ve probably had hundreds of conversations with passengers from all over, too.

But sometimes, cabbies won’t be the first ones to talk. Hop into a Universal Taxi and you’ll find that sometimes, these cabbies can be quite shy, too. Cases like these, they’re just waiting for you to ask the right questions. Any of these questions below would be the cue for them to start revealing their friendly selves:

• “Busy day?”

Any human being would actually enjoy being asked how their day has been, especially if you’ve been behind the wheel the whole day. This is one question that would trigger a great conversation, with the cabbie telling you anything from that accident he witnessed downtown to the famous passenger he drove just before you hailed him.

• “Pulling in a few extra hours?”

This is perfect if you booked a ride through the Universal Taxi app really late at night. It could prompt the cabbie to tell you about a new home he’s hoping to buy, or a nice gift he wants to get for his daughter. Every hour worked beyond the usual will always have a story behind it, and that’s one great story for you to hear as you drive from point A to point B.

• “Ever had any famous passengers?”

Probably every cabbie has had a famous passenger, especially if they’ve been driving around the city for quite some time. If you chanced upon a cabbie who’s fairly new in the business however, there’s a possibility that they haven’t been lucky just yet. In this case, you can always follow that up with “I bet you’ve had some weird ones though.”

• “You been in Chicago long?”

Although cabbies seem to have mastered the streets of Chicago, not all of them have lived around here all their lives. If you’re new around the city, maybe this will give you the chance to meet someone who also hails where you come from. And when you’re lucky enough to experience that, you’re going to find yourself enjoying the ride as you reminisce about home.

• “How’s business these days?”

This is a particularly touchy subject, knowing that cabbies are still at war with ride-sharing services. It’s the best way to get your cab driver to talk though, knowing that they would definitely have a lot to say about the subject. If you’re the type who enjoys political conversations and other pressing issues, then this is the perfect question for you to ask.

Starting a conversation with a cabbie could be the best thing you can ever do in Chicago. It’s a great way for you to get a glimpse inside a local’s mind, and could score you a few pointers from someone who knows every road and corner in the city as well.

 

Chicago is a pretty cool place to live in, especially if youre into art and architecture. Of course, no place is perfect, and Chicago has its own set of risks as well. Yes, 2015 did show a considerable decline in the number of crimes related to public transport. But there will always be instances when you may not be so lucky.

If youre fairly new to the city, you can definitely use the following tips to keep yourself safe:

 

Watch out for busy times and seasons.

The rush hour will often post the more risks when it comes to public transport. After all, the more people on trains, the more cover pickpockets will have as well. Be aware that there is a higher risk of crime over the summer season as well, simply because thieves and robbers know that there are more out-of- towners during this season.

Map your trips ahead of time.

Walking around and making it obvious that youre new here is not going to help your cause atall. If your route is not automatic to you just yet, make sure you map it out in your head so that you wont have to get caught standing around, scratching your head on some random train platform.

 

 

Use the bus and train trackers.
Its great that there are CTA travel apps that would allow you to find out when the trains and buses are coming. It will allow you to spend more time moving around and less time waiting alone on a deserted bus stop.

Always stay near any form of authority.
When you sit near the train operator or the driver, there is also less chance of anything untoward happening to you. Criminals would always position themselves in areas where it would be very difficult to alert the authority.

Keep your back pockets empty.
Your back pocket is the riskiest part of your body because its one area you wouldnt be able to see as easily. Pickpockets will always have an easy time grabbing anything thats in your back pocket without you feeling a thing.

Keep your valuables hidden.
So you bought the latest smartphone thats worth someone elses salary for a few months. Theres no need to broadcast it by flaunting it on the train or in the bus. That only serves as a magnet for every criminal on the public transport system.

Take a cab instead.
If you arent too familiar with the city just yet, better grab a cab instead of rising it. You can book a cab and ask for a pickup through the Universal Taxi app no matter where you are around the city. Universal Taxi will also make sure you get off at the right place. Try not to experiment with public transport at critical times if youre still new around town.

Public transport may be the cheaper option, but its not always the safest. Especially for newcomers like you, make sure you ease yourself into being a Chicago commuter slowly but surely

 

 

 

 

 

In my line of work as a cab driver, Ive encountered all kinds of passengers. There are commuters who are just silent throughout the travel, and others who talk non-stop. Some are already preoccupied with work, others are mindlessly passing out time with various quirks that drive me mad.

At Universal Taxi, we are trained to respond to various situations smartly and quickly. And that quick thinking is often stretched to its limits when handling a passenger in a full-blown panic attack.

The most important thing to remember when you have a passenger who’s having a panic attack is that whatever is happening before your eyes might be a life-and-death situation. Never disregard or deal with it nonchalantly. If your passenger is panicking, he may steadily become anxious and pass out.

Help your passenger by:

• Staying calm yourself.

You cant combat a panicked situation with a volatile reaction. Unless youre professionally trained, avoid using the infamous Dont Panic! line to your passenger. In fact, never use that phrase altogether. Go for assuring words such as Its going to be okay or You have nothing to worry about to calm him down. Also, park the taxi in the nearest safe area and speak with him in short, simple sentences.

• Offering medicine (if he has one).

Dont make assumptions here because, again, this can quickly turn into a deadly situation. Rather than frantically going through the passengers things, ask him if he has a medicine for such a situation. You may also him ask if you can call someone  a family member or a friend  who is experienced with his attacks to help you guide him back to normalcy. Often people who are prone to panic attacks know what they need to do during an episode, so all you have to do is ask.

• Asking the passenger to focus on one thing only.

If you deem that slow breathing is the way to go, help him do it by breathing with him or by slowly monitoring his progress. Alternatively, you can ask your passenger to repeat one mundane task (ex. raising his arms over his head or opening and closing one of his hands) until the lull of the task lessens his agitation.

• Assessing the situation quickly.

If your passenger is just starting to panic, with gentle words and even breathing, you can help him rein over the anxiousness. However, if its going into a full-blown panic attack, a quick call to 911 is a smart move to make. If youre near a Chicago hospital, you may also rush him there for him to receive immediate medical attention. Also, calling your taxi company helps. At Universal Taxi, were trained to respond to this situation.

The simplest things can prompt a panic attack. And most of the time, you have no idea what these triggers are. You just need to have the presence of mind to help your customer. Even during your worst day as a cabbie, dont make your passenger feel as if you dont have his back during a panic attack.

Traffic. Its usually an expected occurrence these days, but when youre just trying to be on time for your appointment, road congestion can be a nightmare.
Chicagos gridlock is considered one of the worst in the US, and perhaps the world. For most travelers passing through the Windy City, the first obstacle they need to deal with is getting out the city as quickly (and safely) as possible. Once they hit the open road, the road trip is officially on. But for daily commuters around the city, Chicago traffic can be their personal kind of hell.
As a long-time cabbie from the Universal Taxi Dispatch, here are guaranteed tips I can give you on managing Chicago traffic.

• Avoid commuting during the rush hour.

Its that simple, and yet complicated. If you have the leisure of traveling whenever you want or clocking out early from the office, you can easily avoid the rush hour. Otherwise, youre stuck with many commuters on the road. If youre commuting in the morning, never leave home between 7 am and 9:30 am. If its in the latter part of the day, avoid Chicago highways between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm. If possible, leave at 6 am or 10 am, and go home at 3 pm or 7 pm.

• Do not leave Chicago on a Friday evening.

If you think leaving early (Friday evening) for a weekend trip is the best thing you can do to avoid traffic, then think again. Unless you wait at least 7 pm onwards on Friday or until Saturday morning, dont push it. This tip is particularly valid during Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends.In connection with that, if youre celebrating Thanksgiving outside Chicago, dont wait until Wednesday to leave. If possible, take a leave from work a day early, and start your road trip on a Tuesday.

• Use the public transportation.

Sometimes, its more tiresome to drive AND wait for the traffic to subside. Its better to just wait for the rush to lull inside a cab, a bus or a train. Commuting can, ironically, relax you if you just go with the flow. Talk to your fellow commuters, listen to your favorite playlist or chat with your loved ones using your phone. Keep yourself busy, and without you knowing it, youre finally where youre supposed to be.

• Be updated on public road constructions.

Check traffic websites or the news at least 30 minutes before going out so you can plan your commute accordingly. Theres always an alternative route, you just have to be updated to save time.

• Use traffic apps to check the road.

If you’re already on the road and heard about a road construction or closure, use a traffic app to navigate your way out of the stagnant sea of vehicles. You can use the following apps, the last three are specially tailored for Chicago roads:

Google Maps
Waze
Inrix HD
TransitGenie
Hopstop

You dont have to suffer all the time because of the traffic. If you dont want the stress it brings, use a transport service such as Universal Taxi Dispatch to bring you wherever you want to go.