4 Tips to Keep Your Taxi Fleet on the Road Year Round
Running a taxi business comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest is keeping every vehicle on the road. If taxis are kept off the road, this is going to cause everything from unhappy passengers to lost revenue.
The issue: running a reliable taxi fleet takes constant attention.
Harsh winter months, increased summer demand, and the wear and tear of daily city driving – all can hit those reliability efforts. To prevent issues as much as possible, here are four practical ways to keep your vehicles running smoothly through every season.
Tip #1: Prioritise Preventive Maintenance
Reactive repairs – aka those that need to be done ASAP – are expensive. Preventive maintenance, on the other hand, can stop small problems from developing into major issues. That's why implementing a regular service schedule for the likes of oil changes and tyres helps keep your fleet in good health year-round.
You should also take seasonal needs into account. For example, in winter, it's wise to inspect battery health and switch to winter tyres. For the summer, you should monitor coolant levels and air conditioning systems.
Another recommendation: encourage drivers to report dashboard warnings and vehicle noises early. After all, a quick fix today could save you a full breakdown tomorrow.
Tip #2: Use Telematics to Spot Trouble Early
It's easy to think telematics is only about tracking vehicle location. However, that's certainly not the case. It also supplies vital data about how your vehicles are performing. Engine diagnostics, idling time, and even tyre pressure alerts can support you in identifying when a vehicle might be due for a check-up.
A company like Radius offers fleet telematics solutions that allow you to:
- Monitor vehicle health in real time
- Schedule servicing based on mileage rather than guesswork
- Get alerts for fault codes before they become serious
This insight reduces breakdowns and lowers repair costs. Importantly, it also keeps more vehicles on the road where they belong.
Tip #3: Train Drivers to Protect the Vehicles
Drivers play a direct role in vehicle wear and tear. Aside from impacting fuel economy, it can be easy to overlook how the likes of harsh braking and excessive idling can accelerate mechanical issues. A well-trained driver avoids such issues and extends the life of your vehicle.
In terms of training, consider offering seasonal driver refreshers. You can discuss the likes of wet weather braking techniques and how to handle snow, fog, and extreme heat. Pairing this with performance feedback from telematics data encourages both accountability and safer driving habits.
Tip #4: Have a Contingency Plan for Downtime
From time to time, even the best-maintained fleet will face unexpected issues. The key is being prepared when that happens. Here's how you can stay ahead:
- Partner with a reliable garage for priority repair turnaround.
- Use tracking tools to quickly reroute nearby drivers to cover missed jobs.
- Stay connected with mobile and broadband services so dispatchers can react instantly.
- If budget allows, keep a small reserve fleet to cover emergencies.
By putting backup systems in place, you reduce disruption to service. This keeps customers satisfied, even when things go wrong behind the scenes.
