minicabs
Private hire vehicles
Minicabs are private hire vehicles in Britain that must be booked in advance rather than hailed on the street, distinguishing them from traditional black cabs or taxis.
They're typically ordinary cars operated by licensed drivers through a dispatch office or, increasingly, through smartphone apps.
The term is primarily British; Americans would simply call these car services or rideshares.
I called a minicab to take us to the airport.
Arranged prior to arrival
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- dispatchSend with speed
- on-demandAvailable upon request
- scheduledArranged for specific time
Position in hierarchy
- officeProfessional work location
- neighbourhoodResidential area nearby
- commuterOne who travels regularly
- nightlifeEvening entertainment culture
Drinking establishment, often frontier
- estateProperty and grounds
- people-carrierLarge family vehicle
- licensedGranted official permission
- insuredProtected against loss
metered · unmetered · air-conditioned · sat-nav · dashcam · livery
Granted official permission
- insuranceContractual risk coverage
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
- roadworthySafe to drive legally
Carefully investigated beforehand
- uniformedWearing prescribed outfit
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- self-employedWorking independently, not hired
- tipsExtras for servers
pre-booked
Arranged prior to arrival
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- dispatchSend with speed
- on-demandAvailable upon request
scheduled · confirmation · cancellation · door-to-door · point-to-point
rank
Position in hierarchy
- officeProfessional work location
- neighbourhoodResidential area nearby
- commuterOne who travels regularly
saloon
Drinking establishment, often frontier
- estateProperty and grounds
- people-carrierLarge family vehicle
- licensedGranted official permission
insured · metered · unmetered · air-conditioned · sat-nav · dashcam · livery
licensed
Granted official permission
vetted
Carefully investigated beforehand
- uniformedWearing prescribed outfit
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- self-employedWorking independently, not hired
minicabsminibuses
Small public transport vehicles
party buses · limousines · coaches · stretch limos · stretch limousines
minicabsunderground
Below ground or countercultural
trains · trams · buses · tube · mass transit