London-based Addison Lee is to acquire black
cab provider ComCab, creating what it says will be “the capital’s largest
private hire and taxi company".
Under
the terms of the deal, Addison Lee will purchase the London operations of
Computer Cab plc (ComCab), City Fleet Networks and Flightlink International
from the ComfortDelGro Corporation creating a fleet of 7,000 vehicles. The tie-up will also create London’s
largest same-day courier business which will allow customers to book car, taxi
and courier services all on one mobility platform.
Addison
Lee’s CEO Liam Griffin said, “I am sure there will be a few raised eyebrows at
this deal given that Addison Lee and black taxis were once seen as competitors.
However, the industry we operate in has changed and this alliance combines the
two most professional companies in our sectors who share the same focus on
quality of service, the customers we serve and the importance of the drivers.
“As
London emerges from the pandemic, there’s going to be a significant increase in
demand for safe, quality transport from both corporates and consumers. The
London black taxi is iconic and famous as the best taxi service anywhere in the
world. By bringing Addison Lee and ComCab together we consolidate our position
as the market leader in corporate ground transport and we will be able to meet
the need for quality and excellence in a way that none of our competitors can.”
Addison
Lee says it provides services to 80 per cent of the FTSE100. The business was taken
over by Griffin and a consortium of investors in 2020.