Written by the Sydenham Mini Cabs team. Last updated .
Who we partner with
We are a local office on Sydenham Road, and most of our partners are local too. They fall into two groups.
- Organisations that need passengers moved, such as hotels, offices, schools, care homes and clinics
- People and firms that supply the transport, such as licensed owner drivers and private hire fleet owners
If you are a driver looking for work with us, the details are on our PCO driver hire page.
Partnerships for businesses and organisations
Hotels and guest houses
Guests ask reception for a taxi many times a day. A hotel partner rings one number, at any hour, and we send a car to the door. Airport runs are quoted in advance, and the guest can pay the driver or the fare can go on the hotel's account. Our hotel transfer taxi page shows how those journeys work.
Offices and local firms
Staff travelling to meetings, clients arriving from the airport, late shifts finishing after the trains. A business account puts every journey on one weekly invoice, with the passenger name and the date against each trip. Nobody has to claim expenses.
Schools, nurseries and clubs
Schools and after school clubs use us for regular pupil journeys and for staff travel. Our school run taxi page explains standing bookings and how term dates are handled.
Care homes, clinics and surgeries
Residents and patients need patient drivers. Care partners book appointments in advance, tell us about mobility needs, and ask for a wheelchair accessible vehicle when one is required. Regular treatment visits can be set up as repeat bookings.
Venues, restaurants and event organisers
Pubs, restaurants and function rooms can call us to get customers home safely. For weddings and large events we plan several vehicles together, including the 7 seater taxi and an 8 seater minibus.
What a business partner gets
We would rather describe this plainly than oversell it.
- One phone number, answered 24 hours a day, every day
- A price quoted before each journey
- Weekly invoicing on account, or card and cash payment per trip
- Saloon, estate, 6 and 7 seater MPV, 8 seater minibus and executive cars
- Flight tracking and meet and greet on airport pickups
- A booking record for every journey, so queries can be checked
Account terms, credit limits and any minimum spend are agreed with each partner. [Account terms to be confirmed by the business.]
Partnerships for owner drivers and fleet owners
Owner drivers
If you hold a Transport for London private hire driver licence and run your own licensed vehicle, you can apply to take work from our office. Bookings come from local residents, account customers and airport passengers across south east London.
Fleet owners and other operators
We also talk to fleet owners with licensed vehicles and drivers available, and to licensed operators in other areas who want a trusted office to cover journeys in and around Sydenham. Any work passed between operators is handled in line with Transport for London's rules on sub contracting.
Commission, circuit fees and payment arrangements are discussed directly with each applicant. [Driver and fleet terms to be confirmed by the business.]
What we expect from every partner
Private hire in London is a licensed trade, and we keep to the rules.
Transport partners must hold current Transport for London licences for the driver and the vehicle, with hire and reward insurance in place. We check documents before any work is given and again when they are renewed. Our own operator licence number is [TfL licence number].
Business partners simply need to give us accurate booking details and settle invoices on the agreed terms.
How to apply
There is no long form to fill in.
Call 020 8778 8888 and ask about partnership, or email info@sydenhamcars.co.uk with the following.
- Your name and the name of your organisation
- A phone number and the best time to call
- What you need, or what you can offer
- Roughly how many journeys or vehicles are involved
We will reply, arrange a conversation and agree terms before anything starts. You can also reach us through the contact us page, and read more about the office on our about us page.
Partner questions
What does it cost to open a business account?
Ask us when you apply. Account terms are agreed with each organisation, and we will set them out clearly before the account opens.
How are account journeys invoiced?
Weekly. Each invoice lists the journeys taken, so you can match them to staff, guests or pupils.
Can a small business or a sole trader open an account?
Yes. Accounts are not limited to large firms. Tell us roughly how often you travel and we will suggest whether an account or pay as you go suits you better.
Do you take on owner drivers?
Yes, subject to licence and document checks. See the PCO driver hire page for the requirements and how to apply.
Can another minicab operator pass work to you?
Yes, where both operators are licensed and the booking is handled under Transport for London's rules. Call the office to discuss it.
Which areas do partners need to be in?
Most of our partners are in Sydenham and the surrounding districts listed on our areas we cover page, though we carry passengers to any destination.