Energy Savings Trust Award
Addison Lee is delighted to have won another prestigious environmental award, The Energy Saving Trust’s Fleet Hero award for large fleets.
The Fleet Hero awards aim to highlight best practice in fleet management. The awards aim to acknowledge organisations that are addressing climate change by reducing carbon emissions from business travel. Best practice will be recognised as these organisations demonstrate the way forward in green fleet management. This includes reducing the total mileage travelled, reduced emissions from private cars used on business, used technology innovatively, leading by example, or simply taking a series of sound steps that together have made a big difference.
Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust commented: “The winners and runners up in the Fleet Hero Awards have taken simple, practical steps which not only help the environment but also help to save money and resources. My congratulations go to them all. They provide an example to any business or organisation that operates a fleet - no matter what size.”
This award is further confirmation of Addison Lee’s unwavering commitment to improving the environment in which we operate. Since 2002, Addison Lee has employed a full-time Corporate Social Responsibility Manager and we have made subsequent reductions in emissions of 17.6%.
Liam Griffin, Managing Director of Addison Lee commented: “Environmental awareness will continue to remain at the forefront of our business plans and we are delighted to have received further recognition of our efforts in this field”
Fares fair?
Fares fair?
Let’s get something straight. Black taxis are part of London life and here at Addison Lee, you will never hear us saying anything different. Historically, industry regulations leaned heavily in the favour of the Hackney carriage, making it difficult for private hire minicab companies such as Addison Lee to compete in a fiercely competitive market place. However, in recent years things have changed. Tougher legislation has forced many of the smaller and less professionally run minicab companies out of business and allowed Addison Lee to flourish and grow to a point where we are seen as a genuine alternative to the black taxi. Last year, Addison Lee carried out over 45 million pounds worth of cash bookings. Effectively, these are journeys that are our equivalent to hailing a black taxi. So what’s the difference? Well firstly, the price. On average, an Addison Lee minicab journey will be 30% cheaper than a black cab. Now that’s fine. We live in an open market and would never try to advocate restrictions of trade. Frankly, people can charge what they want. However, the point of interest here is that last year, the Public Carriage Office approved an astonishing 3 tariff increases for black cab companies, in a financial environment that saw most companies across other industry sectors desperately struggling to keep their heads above water.
Still, the days of our black taxi friends monopolising the streets of London are long gone. Addison Lee has over 2000 vehicles on the road and will arrive within 15 minutes of being booked. Our cars are all less than 3 years old, have satellite navigation, air conditioning and, what’s more, you wont see a meter clocking up astronomic fares for the crime of being stuck in traffic. What we quote you is what you pay. End of story.
As I said, black taxis definitely have a part to play in London life. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to work out what that role is.
Jeremy Butler - Addison Lee
