Drove past some of the elder lemons of Expert and NRC being all BFF last week. This would lead a casual observer to suspect that the much touted takeover/marriage is back on. Greater minds than mine will judge if this will be a takeover or a marriage and more importantly, who will be the daddy. Those in the know will remember that the wheels very nearly fell off last year when a related party pulled a legal rabbit out of the hat. Last weeks bonding session may indicate the trip to Inns quay was a one way booking and everyone is best friends forever again.
This sounds like good news for the top brass of both radio companies considering their engines have been belching black smoke of late. Predictably instead of looking under the hood they decided to tow rope together in a desperate attempt to avoid a complete engine failure. One can only guess at the quality of due diligence being performed.
The recent loss of the HSE, Blood service and Dialysis accounts are a blow to NRC even if they were discounted fares. This is the type of business that puts bread on the table in the lean months. That some of this work has gone to the clever german “Die taxi app” should make the brass sit up and take notice, although based on their history this is unlikely.
Things are not much more successful in ballymount. Those in the know say that over 30 drivers have waved goodbye in the last while with a healthy number of those heading to VIP. It seems that paying €80 radio fee per week (€3,840 a year) doesn’t entitle taxi drivers to a fair divey of the airport and juicy country runs. (These are reserved for the yellow pack chauffeurs. More about this anon). Added to this is the crushed expectations of new drivers. Told they can earn €1,800 a week once they sign up to a base taxi rental. They swiftly learn its worse than a ponzi scheme and hand back the keys.
What is the likelihood of this union between crumbling dynasties actually succeeding? Well based on past experience the smart money isn’t giving great odds. Cast your mind back to 2015 and the ecab announcement from VIP, NRC and expert. “2,000 cars readily available to collect and drop on the Dublin area, all with uniformed and trained drivers”.
Or the same idea resprayed and waxed up as “Connect” from 2017. Both were quietly buried long before their NCT was due.
Given the individuals involved one suspects if this wedding does go ahead, it wont be long before its either turn left to Inns quay and our learned friends in wigs or just up ahead on the right to Gloucester place for E10 forms from the CRO.
