Q: What is BargainPHV.com?
A: London's first regional LIVE interactive PHV request & booking service.

Q: What is CommuterShare’s purpose?
A: To give car commuters an affordable alternative to using their own cars and this may also apply to some train, tube, bus or coach commuters living/working in areas where time is an issue as well.

Q: What does CommuterShare do?
A: Allows people to share a legally licenced Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) for a fixed price anywhere within London’s M25 (£5 to £7 per passenger from a Transit8 to Saloon or £21 for two passengers in a Saloon/Estate one-way)

Q: What is the Considerate Service?
A: To be picked-up and dropped-off within your selected post codes or approximately 10mins walk in adverse traffic conditions/awkward road layouts.

Q: What is a PHV?
A: Legally Licenced Private Hire Vehicle formally known as a mini-cab (unlicenced & illegal)

Q: What is a PHO?
A: Legally Licenced Private Hire Operator which are still called cab offices by customers

Q: What is a PHD?
A: Legally Licenced Private Hire Driver used to be known as a cabbie or cab driver

Q: Who Licences London PHVs, PHOs & PHDs?
A: Currently Transport for London (TFL) and Public Carriage Office (PCO) are the executive and enforcement of the Private Hire Vehicles Act 1998 (London)

Q: How many PHVs are there in London?
A: approximately 45,000

Q: How many PHOs operate in London?
A: approximately 2,200

Q: Can the PHV collect/drop me at my front door?
A: That depends on various factors; current traffic conditions, road layout, location of premises, lateness & weather conditions. PHOs will advise you on booking but every day is different on the roads so the PHO/Driver may call and advise you of changes on the day. In most cases a door-to-door service can be achieved but is not part of this service. If you want a door-to-door service please contact your local PHO who will happily give you a price.

Q: Can I/We select any PHV?
A: Yes, and to help you decide, here in percentage terms is a rough breakdown of PHVs. Saloon 25%, Estate 5%, MPV5 35%, MPV6 10%, Transit7 5% and Transit8 20%

Q: What happens when its pouring with rain and I’m at the agreed drop-off that is 5mins walk from my work?
A: The driver will try and accommodate you but should time be an issue for the other passengers. You will have to get the brolly out as you would if you travelled on a bus/tube or train

Q: What pick-up/drop-off points would the PHOs use?
A: It could be outside your premises, end of the road, on the junction of a main road, a point of reference like church, bus stop, shop or post box

Q: If there are a couple of PHVs how do I know which is mine?
A: The majority of PHVs have company signage on the rear of the vehicle but always ask the driver who they are collecting before entering a PHV.

Q: What do I say to the driver before getting into the PHV?
A: Ask the driver who is he/she collecting and where is he/she going

Q: Can a group of parents arrange a school run?
A: Yes, be sure the school run travels in one direction and you allow time for every pick-up, 2mins max. The first pick-up has to be a parent/guardian/child escort with or without a child. PHOs will not collect school children on there own.

Q: Can PHOs provide child escorts for school runs?
A: Yes, as a number of PHOs supply London Boroughs with special educational needs transport that include child escorts. When a PHO considers your request inform them in writing via the PMB service and they give you an additional price for a child escort

Q: I have requested as an individual a Saloon £14 Return but the PHO can only do £7 one-way what shall I do?
A: You have two choices; 1, thank the PHO for there time and wait for another PHO to respond to your request. 2, Put another request on the system for the journey that the PHO cannot cover and if you get a response then accept both offers from the different PHOs.

Q: What areas do you cover?
A: Every London & Greater London post code within the M25 for a fixed price. Outside the M25 price is to be negotiated with the PHOs

Q: What’s the best way to contact a PHO?
A: BargainPHV offers a free (PMB) Private Message Board Service and this will be your initial first point of contact with the PHO. It’s better to do things in writing that way should there be any issues like pick-up information this will help resolve them. If you prefer a phone conversation just use the PMB service to send your contact number to the PHO and they will call you.

Q: What if I’m late or going to be late?
A: Try and give the PHO as much notice as possible. Tell them the anticipated length of delay and they will see if they can work around your situation

Q: What if I’m not at the agreed pick-up point at home or work?
A: Contact the PHO and let them know where you are located, if close by or on route to your destination they will most probably pick you up

Q: If I cannot make a pre-booked journey what should I do?
A: You have at least five hours to cancel your pre-booked journey to obtain a refund. Anything less is dependant on the PHO replacing you on your journey

Q: What if I need to cancel advance bookings?
A: Just contact the PHO that took your booking and obtain a refund.

Q: Is there a same day service?
A: Yes, but in the early stages of this service you might not get a response so try and book at least one day in advance

Q: Can I use CommuterShare for any London Airport?
A: No, for two reasons; 1, no luggage space and 2, collection & pick-up times will exceed 2mins. Just use the Airports&Ports service.

Q: What are the etiquette rules?
A: You are respectfully reminded that all PHVs are No smoking, No eating (unless you are willing to pay the driver for cleaning-up after you and the other passengers do not object), No alcohol and No foul/abusive/aggressive language. We welcome good manners, sense of humour and interesting conversation, if you are in the mood.

Q: Can two of us travel in a saloon on our own?
A: Yes, but you will pay a little premium. £10.50 each one-way as opposed to £7 each one-way

Q: How will the PHOs notify me/us if there is a delay in picking me/us up?
A: Should there be more then a 5min delay either the driver or PHO controller will call to advise you when the PHV will get to you

Q: What luggage is acceptable?
A: Normally a couple of pieces of hand luggage per passenger is fine, but, if you have large artwork, tools or went on a shopping spree then you need to inform the PHO either before or after you’ve booked a PHV ride

Q: What payment methods are accepted by PHOs?
A: Credit & Debit Cards on the phone. Cash will only be taken in advance so you must be in the proximity of your local PHO should they be taking you.

Q: Why can’t I pay cash at the end of the journey like we normally do?
A: Experience has taught us that some people will do what it takes to get into a PHV only to tell the driver that they have changed their destination. In fact they may or may not have booked a PHV with that PHO, so obtaining someone else’s PHV and leaving them stranded. By paying in advance the driver will only get paid for picking up the correct passengers.

Q: What if I’m near my destination but stuck in traffic?
A: Before you decide to do anything ask the driver first what he/she thinks and if the driver feels it could be a while and you are a 10min walk away. Then you might consider getting a little extra exercise-in and this will be appreciated by the driver and any remaining passengers.

Q: What if one of my group is not at the pick-up, can we pick-up along the way?
A: Yes, provided he/she is located on-route to the original destination and does not affect the timing of the overall journey. This MUST not be discovered at time of pick-up but explained to the PHO before the first pick-up. If not then that passenger cannot be accommodated and the fare will not be refunded.

Q: I live/work in an area that can sometimes suffer congestion what should I do?
A: Find a safe place for you to be picked-up and set-down, inform the PHO during the booking process and also advise the driver the best way if the issue is at your destination.

Q: Can I speak to the driver about the route he/she is taking?
A: Yes, if it’s getting out of the area where you’ve just been picked-up or on-route to your destination but be mindful of other passengers in the PHV as they may have also spoken to the driver.

Q: Can a group of four passengers book a bigger PHV to save a little money?
A: Yes, although you will most likely have additional passengers so expect to add more time to your journey

Q: Who organises the pick-ups and drop-offs?
A: PHO controllers will arrange pick-up and drop-off times but these will be dependent on prevailing traffic conditions

Q: Can a company arrange group bookings for its employees?
A: Yes, inform the PHO they are all employees of the same company and make sure the pick-ups and drop-offs are heading in the same direction; I.E. South Easte heading in the same direction; I.E. South East

Q: What do I need to make a request as an individual?
A: pick-up and drop-off post codes and times

Q: We are a group of six work colleagues living at six different addresses can we book a PHV?
A: Yes, on Total Passengers click 6, enter your dates then enter the 1st passenger pick-up & drop-off post codes. When the PHO responds to your request inform them of the other passenger details. If the pick-up/drop-off run you are proposing does not make good time or direction sense the PHOs might refuse your request.

Q: Can a family of five use this service to go shopping and we need to pick-up from different addresses?
A: Yes, just make sure the PHV is big enough to take the shopping as well!

Q: Are there any date and time restrictions to the CommuterShare Service?
A: At the moment, Yes. 05:00 to 19:30 hours 7 days a week (Excluding all public holidays in England)

Q: Do PHOs really know where their PHVs are located?
A: Over 70% of the PHV fleet have PDAs with tracking software & smartphones with GPS, so mostly, yes.

Q: If I have a bad experience with a driver what can I do?
A: There will be times when people just don’t get-on but if you need to take matters further then contact the PHO they will deal with your complaint

Q: What if I have a bad experience with a PHO?
A: If it is related to either the Airports&Ports or CommuterShare service then please email assist@bargainphv.com with the facts. We can suspend or ban PHOs who abuse the system.

Q: I live 10 miles outside the M25 can I make a request?
A: Yes, there are thousands of drivers who live around the M25 or beyond. The PHO will negotiate a price with you.

Q: How can I tell if I'm getting a licenced Private Hire Vehicle (PHV)?
A: The PHV has two distinctive yellow discs on the top right-hand corner of the vehicle front & back

Q: Does the Private Hire Driver (PHD) have licenced identity?
A: The PHD has a photographic ID badge with name, serial number and expiry date in a plastic seal

Q: How can I be sure the Private Hire Operator (PHO) is currently licenced?
A: Firstly I check this website http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/taxisandprivatehire/ph/licensing/ as to the (PHOs) validity. You can also check this at time of booking. Secondly, the (PHO) enters into a legally binding agreement with BargainPHV

Q: Why can't I book directly with BargainPHV?
A: BargainPHV is purely a marketing conduit between potential customers and licensed PHOs. The law prohibits unlicenced companies/vehicles/drivers to engage in hire & reward bookings.

Q: What if I'm Disabled or a member of my party is Disabled?
A: Remember to consider the vehicle space required to make your journey a pleasant experience. You must also inform the PHO of any special arrangements/requirements for your collection. The PHOs and Drivers are duty bound by the Equity Act 2010