BUSINESS people’s need for timely transport is paying dividends for Bruce Cross.
Mr Cross, owner of Quality Personal Transport, is one of Perth’s growing number of Small Charter Vehicle operators. His service is a cross between a limousine and a taxi. In fact limousines are also classed as small charter vehicles.
“To many business people time is of the essence,” Mr Cross said. “They want to be able to walk out of a meeting or their hotel and have the car there waiting for them. And a lot of people like it because it is a personalised service.”
Mr Cross said about 70 per cent of his business was corporate and he counted TVW 7 and radio station staff among his clients. He also arranges transport in other Australian cities and overseas for clients.
“I rely on repeat business and referrals,” he said.
Mr Cross was a casualty of the Klubcar franchise collapse, left with a car and nothing else. From there he rebuilt his business and client base.
Small charter vehicles have the same safety requirements imposed as taxis. Yet they are not allowed to pick up passengers — all trips must be pre-booked.
Mr Cross said he hoped the review into the taxi industry would put small charter vehicles on a more competitive footing with taxis.
