The pandemic significantly affected the taxi and limousine industry after companies implemented work-from-home arrangements for their employees. Aside from fewer passengers, drivers had to ensure their vehicles were clean to avoid getting infected by the virus.
After the health situation improved, people started working onsite. The improvement also saw more people going out and traveling to different states across the country. This makes a taxi service an appealing option for entrepreneurs looking to start a business.
Here are the things you should consider when you want to start a taxi business during a pandemic.
Check the Location and Competition
The first thing you should check is the location of the business and potential competitors in the market. Even if you plan to provide a taxi service in different parts of the country, you should start with a smaller area to check the business’s profitability. So, you should look at the market and see what your competitors are offering.
Knowing what your competitors are offering allows you to implement innovations to entice passengers to use your service. You should check their websites, social media accounts, and advertisements. Getting feedback from passengers who used their service also gives you an idea about their service in the market.
Aside from the competitors, you should also check the availability of drivers in the market. You should also consider the huge number of jobs available in the market. The salaries offered by these jobs can affect your search for skilled drivers. So, you should make sure to look at the availability of potential drivers for your taxis.
Make a Practical Investment
Starting a business requires considerable investment on your part. You should also work hard to ensure you get a suitable return on your investment. The economic uncertainty has made this challenging to achieve, especially with many people still wary about going out due to the pandemic.
You should make a practical investment when you start a taxi business. The first major investment that you should make is the land you will use to park the taxis. Buying land in the city is costly. Instead, you should consider leasing the land you’re planning to use for parking.
Another option is buying land outside the city. But this will also affect your operating expenses due to the increasing gas prices. Gasoline prices are at their highest level in seven years. In this situation, you should compare the advantages and disadvantages of buying land outside the city or leasing a lot inside the city.
Aside from parking, another major investment are the vehicles you need for the business. To maximize your budget, you should look for a reliable used car dealership in your area and ask about their deals. These companies offer affordable vehicles that you can modify and turn into a taxi.
Work on the Permits and Licenses
Once you have an idea about the competition and investment requirements, you should start working on the permits and licenses for the business. You need to get a taxi business license to start the business. Approval from the local regulator is also needed to start the business in the city. Additionally, you have to get a commercial driver’s license for your drivers to work as drivers for your taxis.
Aside from the permits and licenses, getting insurance is also necessary to protect the business, drivers, passengers, and vehicles. An insurance policy is necessary to avoid paying fines in case the authorities inspect your business. Working with a reliable insurance agent allows you to get a good deal with the insurance you will purchase.
Work with a Dependable Human Resource Team
When you look for drivers for the business, you should find the best ones available in the market. This allows you to avoid issues in the future, especially if you want to make a good impression on your customers. A dependable human resource (HR) team will play a significant role in facilitating this. So you should look for suitable HR professionals to work with you in looking for skilled drivers.
You have the option of working with a third-party recruitment company when you are still looking for drivers before launching the business. But you will also need an HR team to work with your drivers once the business starts. The HR team will motivate your drivers and ensure they receive all the incentives you are planning to offer.
Opening a taxi service during the pandemic is an appealing option as more people are starting to work onsite and tourists are starting to travel again.
