In an age where self-employment is increasingly dominant in the workplace, the traditional labour market has been shaken to its core.
More specifically, there are some jobs that have become extremely empowering during the last few years, while others have lost their status and appeal among the contemporary workforce.
Working as a taxi driver has certainly become more alluring in 2018, for example, with firms such as Uber disrupting the industry and the way in which employees operates. This is just an example of how technology and innovation have continued to change this industry, and below we’ve listed a few more.
- Apps Now Dominate the Marketplace
The convenience of Uber’s app and booking service has emerged as a key differentiator in the sector, and one that rivals have looked to counter with their own alternatives.
As a result of this, there is a growing number of branded apps available on the market, while the number of bookings made over the phone continues to dwindle with every passing day.
Some firms have reported that up to 34% of their weekly journeys are now booked through an app, and this is indicative of the UK industry as a whole, As technology becomes more refined and better interaction is allowed through these apps, we can expect this to become the dominant booking channel during the next decade.
- It’s Easier than Ever to Buy a Taxi
Buying a taxi used to be a challenging pastime, and one that required specific knowledge of the industry and its regulations.
This is no longer the case in the digital age, however, as aspiring drivers can now use online resources and comparison sites to identify compliant vehicles at the lowest possible price, Cab Direct probably leads this marketplace, as it connects users to a broad range of vehicles and an advanced filter system to help them find the right car for them.
If you’re going to be self-employed, it’s important that your chosen market is accessible, and this type of comparison resource has certainly made it easier for people to source affordable vehicles of a requisite quality.
- The Rise of Green Taxis
While London has often failed to deliver on its green initiatives, firms have made a significant investment in the development of electric taxis. This is considered to be a key step in the war against minimising carbon emissions, while it is a path that has already been trodden in cities such as Amsterdam and Bangalore.
London has plans to lead this market over the course of the next decade, however, creating the world’s largest fleet of green taxis in the process.
This is an evolution that has already begun, with customers increasingly keen on reducing their own carbon footprints and making more sustainable choices. In the near-term, however, we’ll see a larger number of green taxis on the road in the capital and other major cities throughout the UK,