Rapid Cabs celebrates 25 years in business in Waterford

One of Waterford's most successful and well-known taxi firms is celebrating 25 years in business.

A spokesperson for Rapid Cabs commented to Waterford News & Star: "In 2000 you’d have met your friends in Red Square to go shopping or gone out later with them to Ruby's or Merlin's. A lot can change in 25 years, and some things not at all. We’re still losing to Tipperary in the championship, you still meet your friends in Geoff’s after to complain about it, and you’ll still get there and get home safe with Rapid Cabs."

Eric O’Brien, who by his own admission was "just a young fella in 2000", now runs Rapid Cabs and remembers just how much has changed over the years.

“Night life in the city mightn’t be what it was then, but people are booking taxis for different reasons now," he said.

"With over 125 drivers we’ve more than ever working for us," he added.

However, Eric said the systems have changed too highlighting that now the business has 35,000 registered App users. 

He also said: "Now people have the personal option of a live operator or a much faster AI service for getting somewhere safely. WIT has become SETU, but we’ve still got a great relationship with the university and it’s students’ union."

“The industry has really changed, now we’re not only the largest local taxi company in Waterford, we’re nearly the only Irish owned taxi company in the city," he said.

"It’s become much more regulated too, which in the main is a good thing," he added.

Eric said "they don’t just give anyone a licence" which means people know who is taking them or their son or daughter home at night. 

"Of course we’d like a bit more control over our own business, like how much to charge, but you cannot have everything," he said.

Twenty-five years ago the O’Briens had just changed their business name from City Cabs to Rapid Cabs, had five taxi drivers and while they had plenty of plans, they never thought they’d reach where they are now.

Computerising, in 2002, set a standard for the business that would continue through to today. Rapid Cabs has always been ahead of the curve, pushing technology in order to be a step ahead of the competition. That attitude towards technology and business resulted in the firm launching the first taxi App in the south east, in 2013, followed by an on-line payment system in 2015 followed up by the launch of the Messenger booking service in 2019.

However, Eric said it's not all about technology: "Personal relationships are essential too. Our relationship with SETU Students’ Union and the ‘Home safe’ campaign is very important, as is our links with Purple Flag and the city centre traders."

"Three quarters of our staff have been with us for over 15 years," he said.

"That kind of loyalty and experience is irreplaceable and it is obviously working as we’ll make over 270,000 journeys this year," he added. He also pointed out the business has a great working relationship with other locally owned taxi businesses around the country.

"We share ideas, trends, problems to be resolved and often lobby together for the right to offer a better service," he said.

Always looking forward and to the future and full of ideas and plans, the next 25 years looks bright for the business.

Rapid Cabs is a licensed taxi dispatch operator by the National Transport Authority and all of its drivers are fully Garda vetted, insured and licensed. The business has been shortlisted for Taxi Company of the Year, every year, for the Taxi Summit Awards and won the overall award in 2023.

Open and accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Rapid Cabs also has a computerised booking dispatch system from its local taxi call centre and has installed in-car driver devices in all of its taxis to ensure as much efficiency as possible.

Its App is available for free on Apple and Android, and you can order your taxi on WhatsApp on the usual number 051 858585.