SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY
WINNING OVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF TAXI CUSTOMERS
Article by Phil Holloway Hollogram Ltd 01509 398002
www.hollogram.com
September marks a pivotal moment for taxi operators across the UK. As schools and colleges return, a new wave of 16–18 year-old students are stepping into independence at college, and 18-24 year olds at University. For many, this will be the first time they’re booking taxis themselves, without parents involved. Shortly after, thousands of university students will descend on towns and cities for Freshers’ Week, exploring their new surroundings and figuring out who to trust when it comes to getting from A to B.
For local taxi companies, this presents a massive opportunity - but also a serious challenge. Most of these young people will already have heard of (and downloaded) global ride-hailing apps. These brands are familiar, convenient, and well-marketed. If you want to win their business, you must stand out in ways that feel relevant to their lifestyle.
So, what do young customers actually want from a taxi company?
1. Trust and safety
Students, particularly first-time users, need reassurance. They want to know your drivers are professional, your cars are licensed, and your service is reliable. Make safety a cornerstone of your marketing. Clear messaging around licensed drivers, 24/7 customer support, and app features, such as driver tracking, builds confidence.
2. Digital first
This generation lives on their phones. If you don’t already have an app, now is the time to invest in one. If you do, your priority is to get downloads. Promote it heavily on social media, and make sure the experience is seamless - from booking to payment to notifications.
3. Student-friendly branding
Global ride-hailing brands are sleek and corporate. You can compete by being local, friendly and approachable.
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Show your face in the community: sponsor student events, partner with colleges, or offer discounts to student societies. Your brand should feel like it belongs in their town, not a faceless app from elsewhere.
4. Promotions that matter
Students are price-sensitive but also love a good deal. Simple, clever promotions can tip the balance. Ideas include: l “Download our app and get your first ride half price.” l “Refer a friend and both get £5 off.” l “Freshers’ Week offer: £10 credit when you sign up.”
These short-term incentives are often the nudge needed to try a local service instead of sticking with what’s familiar.
5. Be visible where they are
In September, your audience is everywhere - on TikTok, Instagram, at student union fairs, and outside bars and clubs. Smart taxi firms will create tailored content for these platforms, hand out flyers with QR codes linking directly to their app, and put their name in front of students the moment they arrive.
The truth is simple: if your company doesn’t make itself known early, students will default to the apps they already have. But with clever marketing, strong branding, and targeted offers, you can become the trusted, go-to taxi service for a whole new generation of customers.
Don’t wait until October to start. September is your window of opportunity - make sure your business seizes it.
SEPTEMBER 2025 PHTM
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