February 24, 2017 8.12 am This story is over 85 months old

Lincoln taxi firm Discount Cabs sold to local competitors

Lincoln taxi firm Discount Cabs on Monson Street has been bought by Direct Cars as part of an ongoing expansion, allowing owners to go into semi-retirement. The business will continue to operate as Discount Cabs for the next month before transferring over to the Direct Cars brand. All current staff at Discount Cabs will continue to…
Discount Cabs on Monson Street, Lincoln

Lincoln taxi firm Discount Cabs on Monson Street has been bought by Direct Cars as part of an ongoing expansion, allowing owners to go into semi-retirement.

The business will continue to operate as Discount Cabs for the next month before transferring over to the Direct Cars brand.

All current staff at Discount Cabs will continue to work in their roles under the new ownership, however negotiations still continue over the current offices.

Direct Cars (Lincoln) Ltd has several businesses including taxi services, garage services and vehicle recovery and will now expand its services with the 1.3 million passengers a year that currently book with Discount Cabs.

Steve Read, former Managing Director of Discount Cabs, has been driving taxis since he was 25 and is now looking for a more peaceful life with better hours at the age of 52.

He said: “I have seen a lot of people come and go in the trade and never thought I would still be in the trade now.

“We have worked many long hours and we want to have a more peaceful life.

“When I started, we managed to change the landscape of taxi trade by introducing computerised booking and dispatch systems, but now we are looking at semi-retirement.

“I would like to thank everybody who has worked with us for all their help and support over the years.

“I would like to wish Direct Cars all the best for the future.”

Mick Crow, Managing Director of Direct Cars, said: “We are the biggest operator in Lincoln and we are going to offer better service and better availability.

“We are a firm that doesn’t sit about and we like to branch into everything.

“We are looking forward to taking on the additional staff and everything will continue to operate as normal.

“There’s only one way, the direct way.”