Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

For Tyler Pickford, CEO of Luton-based taxi firm GoCars, resting on your laurels is never an option. “You can’t just sit idly by, you have to remain proactive, continuously adapting to change” he says. And this is perhaps why his business, with its roots in two well established family-run concerns that merged 15 years ago, is now the town’s biggest private hire and taxi service.

We caught up with Tyler recently to learn more about GoCars, chat about the firm’s new membership of the Chamber, and look into some sponsorship opportunities that Tyler has moved quickly to secure.

From apps to cards – a rapidly changing service landscape

Digital engagement now dominates the taxi and private hire space, Tyler says, as customers’ behaviours and preferences have changed. “People don’t necessarily want to talk to a controller anymore,” he says, “and so we redeveloped our website and built a booking app to enable people to do it all the way they now find most convenient – digitally.”

Payment methods have also evolved radically over the past few years, and here, too, GoCars has kept up with the times, offering card and wallet payment options, but continuing to accept traditional cash from customers who are more comfortable paying that way.

“Pre-Covid,” he explains, “about 30% of our fares were paid by card. Now, it’s around 70%, and of those, around 65% are paid through the app. It just makes it super easy.”

Variety, versatility, flexibility

GoCars is well resourced and well equipped, with 600 drivers, vehicles ranging from saloon cars to people carriers and models with wheelchair access, catering for everything from local short hops to train transfers, airport transfers, and longer-distance jobs too.

Corporate accounts are also a staple of GoCars’ business, keeping businesses and their clients, prospects, partners moving across Bedfordshire and beyond.

And although Tyler has had the foresight to take the business digital, he also understands the value of having capable people in the right roles. The company is run day-to-day by a team of around 35 dedicated full-time and part-time staff.

An eye on the future

Tyler’s excited about what might come next – and not just for his business, but for his region, too.

He talks about the new infrastructure and amenities developments in Luton – the airport expansion, the stadium regeneration – as well as the Universal Studios theme park in Stewartby and the East-West Rail link that will pass through Bedford. He notes that these are likely to drive demand for services like his.

At the same time, he’s inspired by the possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and how new systems are being developed and commercialised that will enable taxi services to be booked, routed, and promoted far more efficiently and effectively.

“Every day,” he says, “we’re looking at how we can do more and do it better, to improve convenience and the customer experience. I think AI will play a big part in this.”

Chamber newbie - but keen sponsor

GoCars only joined the Chamber a few months ago, but they wasted no time in making the most of the many opportunities the Chamber offers. From sponsoring the recent Summer Reception as well as being the preferred taxi supplier for the recent SME Bedfordshire Business Awards Final evening.

Tyler is full of praise for the Chamber’s values and purpose. “As a member of the Chamber,” he remarks, “you get the feeling that each business wants to help the others. It’s like being part of a family, and as a family-run business ourselves, we really connect with that.”

For more information on how to join Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com, or call our friendly team on 01582 522448.