A win for us, A win for you!

Cab My Ride & Aryvo Defend Against City Appeal.

On the 14th February 2024, the Southampton Licensing Team presented a report to the Licensing Subcommittee, resulting in the revocation of our operator’s licence. We believe this decision was based on factual inaccuracies in the report, this led us to appeal this decision to West Hampshire Magistrates Court.

On the 15th October 2024, Southampton City Council agreed to allow our appeal, opting not to oppose it.

On the 14th November 2024, West Hampshire Magistrates Court endorsed a signed Consent Order between us and Southampton City Council meaning that we won our appeal. There was no application made for costs from Southampton City Council.

As a result, we are pleased to announce that, effective immediately, we will retain our three operator licences in Southampton: Cab My Ride, Aryvo, and Bitterne Cars.

Cab My Ride & Aryvo Win Appeal Against Southampton City Council

As a family-owned business rooted in Southampton, our journey is one of dedication to the community. Every mile we've travelled has been fueled by our team’s commitment, our drivers' hard work, and the unwavering support of our loyal customers. Aryvo proudly employed 30 staff members and managed a fleet of over 1,300 drivers across Hampshire, standing among the city's fastest-growing private hire services. We’re deeply grateful for our customers' trust and support, which has helped us grow in ways we only once imagined.

Though recent challenges have tested us, our resilience and commitment to our community remain unwavering. Winning the South Coast Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022 was a moment of immense pride—not just for us, but for everyone who has been part of this journey. This recognition was a true testament to our hard work and fueled our passion even further, giving us the confidence to keep pursuing our vision of building something special in our hometown. As a management team in our 20’s, it was the sign we needed to know we’re on the right path, inspiring us to push forward with even greater purpose.

Another proud moment was when we took an exciting step forward with the acquisition of Bitterne Cars, expanding our reach within Southampton. By October 2022, Cab My Ride's acquisition of Millers Taxi further strengthened our service capacity across the SO and PO postcodes. These acquisitions were driven by a single goal: to better serve our customers.

Today, we proudly offer a range of transportation services to meet the unique needs of our community, with reliable, local, and licensed drivers. Our journey continues, guided by our commitment to excellence and genuine appreciation for the people who make it all possible.

We have always been committed to providing outstanding service, as reflected in our customer satisfaction ratings, which position us as the highest-rated taxi business in the city. Aryvo currently holds an average rating of 4.05

Overall Ratings

Based off Google, Facebook & Trustpilot Reviews as of 10 th October 2024

Cab My Ride & Aryvo acquires Millers Taxis Hedge End

The report that was submitted to the Sub-committee contained multiple inaccuracies, including the claim that a vehicle (DK17 VND) had not been re-tested after failing its inspection. This was disproved by evidence showing the vehicle had passed its re-test on 8th September 2023, and the tyre issue had been immediately addressed. We strongly believed that these inaccuracies in the report had a negative bearing on the Licensing Committee’s decision and formed part of our appeal with the West Hampshire Magistrates Court.

Vehicle Inspections & Compliance Systems

We proactively updated our compliance system to include notifications and reminders for upcoming renewals of important documents such as vehicle plates, badges, and insurance. Technology has always been central to our business, from our cutting-edge app to our commitment to leading innovation in the world of transport. We invited the licensing team to view a demonstration of this system. The licensing team were satisfied with the robustness of the system, particularly in relation to compliance.

As far as we are aware, Cab My Ride & Aryvo is the only operator in the city that provides drivers with email, SMS, and push notifications regarding upcoming renewals, which are sent frequently as the renewal date approaches.

Our company is the only operator conducting virtual vehicle inspections. Drivers are required to submit photos of their vehicles before starting work, with inspections happening as frequently as daily, and a maximum window of 30 days.

This is alongside our in-person checks when a driver onboards at our company. Our driver’s app requires drivers to complete a checklist to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy. The driver is required to submit proof that the vehicle has passed our rigorous checks.

Our system underwent a thorough review by a Digital Forensic Investigator, who confirmed that it provides a robust platform for assigning drivers and monitoring their compliance with statutory regulations. The system also includes additional measures that remind drivers of their obligations to passengers, the licensing authority, and the tasking firm.

ICO Certificates

After conducting an investigation this year, we discovered that out of 94 private hire operators licensed by Southampton City Council, only 12 are registered with the ICO—two of which are Cab My Ride and Aryvo.

We raised this issue with the Licensing Team, as we were unable to find ICO certificates for the other 82 private hire operators on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.

Safeguarding

The Licensing Committee raised safeguarding concerns about our organisation, However, a council document from the Taxi and Private Hire Trade Forum on December 18, 2023, notes the following from other drivers and operators:

District Judge sitting as Magistrate dismissed an appeal by a driver who was revoked in November 2022 after repeatedly asking lone female passengers for their contact details and other complaints. Costs of £3,700 awarded to council.
Magistrates dismissed an appeal by driver revoked in February 2023 after police notified licensing of two complaints by two women of inappropriate touching. £1,800 costs awarded to council.
Private hire driver revoked by Committee for working while a suspension was in place.
Driver suspended for 1 month after no insurance conviction

Safeguarding has always been a priority for our business. Our systems are designed to ensure the safety of both passengers and drivers. Over 14 years of holding an operator license, neither Cab My Ride nor Aryvo has ever received a safeguarding warning.

We continuously adapt, review, and improve our safeguarding policies and procedures to uphold best practices. Nonetheless, our licenses were revoked, despite our unblemished safeguarding record.

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/business-licensing/licensing/taxis-private-hire/noticeboard/

ISS Report Cab My Ride

Nick Pratt, the Director of the Independent Safeguarding Service (ISS) was engaged in February 2024 to review and help Aryvo embed industry leading safeguarding measures. Aryvo had an existing safeguarding and recruitment policy, including, but not limited to, DBS checks and comprehensive staff training.

His initial findings were consistent with what is typically observed within organisations in the taxi and private hire sector., despite oversight by licensing authorities, including the objective of protecting children from harm and the statutory requirements under the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, which mandates that Local Authorities consider safeguarding arrangements when commissioning services.

A recent review of competitor safeguarding policies within Southampton highlighted a widespread lack of procedural compliance. Many competitor policies are in violation of either the Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance or the requirements of the Southampton Safeguarding Children Partnership's procedures, as outlined in the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton (HIPS) Safeguarding Children Procedures Manual.

This includes Radio Taxis, Door 2 Door, and Aero Taxis, all of which have shared their policies. - Aryvo has since updated its policies and procedures to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Aryvo has trained Designated Safeguarding Leads, improved safer recruitment practices, and updated their staff code of conduct. Training has been implemented for senior leaders to ensure adequate oversight of safeguarding for both children and vulnerable adults.

The report concludes that Aryvo has embedded safeguarding arrangements in compliance with statutory obligations, and additional training has been conducted to ensure these practices continue.

Misleading Reports

I would like to address the inaccuracies the Daily Echo made in their public reporting.

“The car being used with broken brakes and an expired licence only came to light following a complaint on November 6 about the people carrier's livery being wrong.”

We have communicated with the Daily Echo Regional Editor, Ben Fishwick. Upon hearing our evidence, it has been acknowledged that a mistake was made in their reporting.

“Cab My Ride will no longer be able to take passengers in the city after the council's licensing Sub Committee found the business was 'not fit and proper’.” Jose Ramos, Daily Echo”

This false statement has misled customers and the Southampton community about the situation. The headline has deterred potential clients, leading many to disengage from our business.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24104993.cab-ride-licence-revoked-complaints/

Moving Forward

This year has been paralysing and has presented unprecedented challenges, that have tested the resilience and determination of Aryvo and its close-knit team. Navigating this situation has pushed us, our families and our close team to our limits. We have attempted to use the evidence we have gathered to make positive changes, working closely with the licensing department to highlight broader failures within the Southampton taxi industry.

We must now work to repair the significant damage this chain of events has caused. We have overcome challenges both in our business and personally. As a family founded business that has grown rapidly, we believe our success should be celebrated. We exist to provide an excellent service to the community and remain committed to our core mission.

Aryvo is grateful for the Southampton City Council’s decision to allow the appeal, ensuring its licenses remain unaffected. Moving forward, the company is committed to repairing the impact of recent events and strengthening its service offerings. Aryvo aims to be the trusted transportation partner Southampton deserves, delivering journeys that embody safety, convenience, and reliability while fostering a spirit of community and exploration.

My dearest team,

Words cannot fully capture how grateful I am for each of you. Your unwavering patience, relentless support, and deep commitment to our vision have brought us through one of the most challenging times we've ever faced. This victory wouldn’t have been possible without you.

It has been a tough journey.

Yet, through it all, you stood strong, working tirelessly not just for the company but for the justice we believed in. We stayed true to our values, making difficult decisions with respect and integrity, and you each made that possible.

Today, as we celebrate this hard-won victory, I am reminded just how fortunate I am to have such a remarkable team by my side. We’ve fought, we’ve persevered, and now, we look forward with renewed strength. This success is not just a win in the courts - it’s a testament to the outstanding business we are building together.

Arjan