by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

A new private hire service has been set up in Dover this week – for one passenger at a time!

Dean Saunders has been given permission by the district council to operate his Cab for 1 service, using Smart Fortwo cars, which have just one passenger seat, and are very environmentally friendly.

Mr Saunders, who lives at Westbury Crescent, said: “They are also cheaper to run, which enables us to have the lowest fares in Dover.

“They are one litre, two-seater cars which are ideal for single passenger trips. Eight out of 10 calls for taxis are for one person, so these will be ideal.”

Normally, the council requires any vehicle licensed for use as a Hackney carriage or for private hire to have an engine capacity of at least 1500cc, to have four doors and to be big enough to accommodate at least four, and up to eight.

But Mr Saunders persuaded members of the regulatory committee to give him the go-ahead for his business, using these smaller cars.

He expects much of his business to be local, but can also do airport trips – there is room for luggage – and offers special rates for hospital trips.

Born and bred in Dover, Mr Saunders went to St Edmund’s Catholic School and has worked as a bus, coach and taxi driver for more than 10 years.

“I decided to launch this business mainly because of the cost of taxi fares,” said Mr Saunders. “Similar cars are used in Oxford, Tavistock and Uttlesford, so I thought why not Dover?”

Cab for 1 can be contacted on 01304 202020.