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Bolt aims to speed up EV transition with new head of electrification role Mark Bursa Bolt is looking to recruit a head of electrification in a bid to speed up the switch to electric cars. The new global role will focus on growing the share of EVs in the Bolt fleet across 45 countries in Europe and Africa. Bolt says EV adoption is three times higher among private hire drivers than general motorists, but barriers remain to achieving full transition, notably in the cost of vehicles and the availability of charging infrastructure. The new head of electrification will look to introduce incentives, education and support for Bolt drivers and fleet owners who want to start using an EV or PHEV. Paddy Partridge, VP rides, Bolt, said: “Bolt has seen demand for EVs and plug-in hybrids grow among drivers in recent years, attracted by cost benefits and increased accessibility to city centres.” “However, barriers to EV adoption remain; they deliver a limited range and drivers must
be confident in the charging infrastructure, particularly rapid charging, to ensure they can complete a full range of jobs and operators such as ourselves need to share data with public authorities to ensure this is in place.” “We see our responsibility to be a partner to
drivers in navigating this change; and to make sure this is as successful a switch as possible. Our new head of electrification will be the key person within Bolt to deliver that programme and I would urge anyone motivated to change our cities to apply.”
Hull-based Drive moves into York area with 659 Taxis takeover Mark Bursa Ambitious Hull-based Drive has taken over 659 Taxis in Layerthorpe, near York, giving it access to another important Yorkshire market. The deal adds a further 60 cars to Drive’s combined fleet, which mainly operates in and around Hull and Doncaster, taking the total close to 1,000 cars. The 659 operation has already been rebranded to Drive. Drive has built a regional powerhouse in East Yorkshire in the past year. In January 2022 it bought two operators in Doncaster, Mick’s Mini Cabs and Alpha Mini Cabs and both firms have been rebranded under the Drive brand. The combined Doncaster fleet is around 350 cars. Drive is Hull’s largest private hire and taxi firm, created through mergers of a number of local operators. The business was initially branded Ride in 2017, but changed its name to Drive in July 2019,
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Stephen Ashford, manager Drive’s York operations
following a local radio competition to choose a new name. Headed by former Amber Cars and Veezu director Chris Hall since 2017, Drive has acquired Hull operators 57 Cars, 65 Cars, 70 Cars, 706 Cars, Sutton Cars and, most recently Five O Cars in June 2020, to create a taxi firm with around 550 cars operating across the city of Hull
and surrounding areas. Chris Hall said the 659 Taxis deal means the team of eight dispatchers in York will stay with the company. He said he was looking to increase the current fleet of 60 drivers. Hall said: “I am thrilled to be launching our service in York. 659 has been a key player in the market for many years. However,
we now look to take it to the next level. Feedback from customers and drivers is that historically getting a cab in York has been somewhat of a lottery and it is our mission to change this for the better.” Hall said: “The merging of many small fleets has benefited both the drivers and customers by reducing waiting time for the customers and dead mileage for the drivers.” He said Drive drivers in York would be paid their fares twice each week, and the longest any driver would need to wait for payment was four days. “Customers need to be able to pay by card, which many already do using our booking app, and drivers need these funds as quickly as possible,” he said. Stephen Ashford, manager at 659 Taxis, said customers would now find it much easier to get a car. “This is the end of having to call round every fleet in the area, like a game of Russian roulette, in order to go from A to B,” he said.
APRIL 2023