MANTAX is on speed dial at Confidential HQ, to taxi us to the various shindigs in the city. 

Mantax is introducing a chauffeur-like service as standard where all drivers will be in smart uniform 

You might think getting to the destination quickly is all you need from a taxi, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn the new owner, MTData, of Mantax has far greater, grander expectations from his fleet for 2013. 

It’s been twenty-five years since former owner and now retired John Tabner started the Mantax business. Now with MTData at the helm - one of the largest suppliers of GPS tracking and fleet management solutions -, the impending and long overdue revamp is to include a snazzy new phone app among other exciting improvements. 

The Mantax app allows users to ‘ihail’ a cab, track their cab’s journey on a map and then opt to receive email or SMS alerts when the cab is approaching. You can also search for the nearest rank via the map, look up your past bookings and even estimate the fare for a future trip. It’s clever stuff that’s long overdue in a bustling city such as Manchester.

You might also be inclined to do a double take when your next Mantax cab rolls up too. 

Mantax is introducing a chauffeur-like service where all drivers will be in smart uniform and not only have in-depth knowledge about the city’s streets and shortcuts, but also be able to tell customers something of the history and landmarks of Manchester too. 

The firm has gone so far as to hire one of the city’s Green Badge Guides (who was trained by Confidential editor Jonathan Schofield) to train up the fleet of 300 cabbies properly.  

Mantax director Matthew Bellizia said: “Drivers are very supportive of changes and are now taking a lot more pride in being a professional taxi driver and winning more work.” 

Other improvements include credit cards to be accepted in all cars, the option of personal and corporate accounts, GPS tracking for passenger security, drivers assisting passengers with luggage and opening doors and, perhaps the most welcome change of them all – clean cars. 

For more information on the new look Mantax, visit www.mantax.co.uk