Established in 1953, Dial-a-Cab today is transformed to a dynamic organisation, serving the diverse and exacting ground transportation needs of London’s global business community.

Based within the heart of the Capital for more than 60 years, Dial-a-Cab understands ground transportation in London like no-one else.

Today’s fleet of more than 1,500 drivers (no company leased taxis) all have a personal interest in delivering the highest levels of customer satisfaction. This ensures the success of the business is built upon meeting client needs better than anyone else.

'first meeting  of 5 drivers  …

in the back  of a London licensed taxi!'

Founder and first Chairman, Bonnie Martyn, had long been concerned about declining standards of casual drivers within the industry: owner-drivers looked after their taxis so much better than drivers who rented vehicles.

And so, Bonnie and 5 like-minded drivers, met on the taxi rank at Grosvenor Place, Victoria, in March 1953, to form a radio taxi limited company, purely comprised of owner-drivers.

This group (along with two other drivers) – namely, Bonnie Martyn, Arthur Cutmore, Frank Duncan, Doug Naismith, Albert Hall, Eric Stoffel, Alec Cobden and David Fiertag - formed the first ever Committee of Management of the Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service – the original name for Dial-a-Cab.

'growing membership, raising resources

and a radio circuit is born'   

Decision made to start the society, the challenges were clear – how to assemble a critical mass of drivers and how to come up with the monies to fund the society?

An Open Meeting was called. The time, the place: Sunday, 7 June 2023 at Albany Tavern, Nr Great Portland Street station. A total of 22 drivers attended and heard how state-of-the-art electronics company, Pye Ltd, had agreed to supply rented radio sets … but to do so would require an upfront payment. Between just those initial 22, they raised more than £200 on the day … staggering when you consider that the average weekly wage at the time was just £8.

The radio circuit was now becoming a reality … and news travelled. Two weeks later, the Committee announced the inauguration of the society to a packed hall of drivers, all keen to be part of this new venture.

'establishing a base from which to grow'

What followed were new premises at 172 Pentonville Road – requiring some significant modifications to be fit for purpose!! 

Drivers worked together and pulled their enthusiasm, energy and expertise to decorate and re-wire the building themselves, since the £200 budget was almost spent. A telephonist and a dispatcher were employed; several phone lines were installed  and the circuit was in operation.

10 weeks later - the newly formed society bought the premises outright for £2,400.

'and finally … open for business'

December 1953 was planned to launch the new radio taxi service, ODRTS, but initial trips undertaken revealed the high number of 'dead spots' around the City – so the first successful trips were not completed until the end of January 1954.

The official opening of the building and society subsequently took place in March and was attended by the local London press. Formalities were conducted by Sir Ian Fraser, WWI hero, who dispatched the first official trip to the awaiting 47 drivers … the service was on the road.

'delivering driver dispatch'

Business was booming, but dispatching the right taxi to the right location at the right time proved more challenging than expected. It was clear that those best placed to understand the complexities of the system were drivers themselves.

And so the first dispatch driver, Mr Defries (Dan 03), took over the role of dispatcher, in turn training other drivers to fulfil this essential work throughout the years of voice dispatch. 

'growing the business, expanding coverage'

In the1980s, global corporations were growing their presence in London and ODRTS increased its driver numbers  to meet the needs of these businesses. In May 1984, the society began to operate under the trading name, Dial-a-Cab (DaC). Moving initially to offices at Brunswick House (from the second home of Shirland Road, W9).

And in mid-2007, now with a fully automated dispatch system, contact and data centres, DaC was established at its current home of Dial-a-Cab House.

'from mutual society to limited company'

2016 marked a new era for Dial-a-Cab. Until then, its member drivers had supported its long-established mutual society status. However, the benefits of operating as a limited company could not be ignored and on 1 November 2016, Dial-a-Cab became Dial-a-Cab Limited, under which name it trades today.