GROWTH ZOOMING: Bristol operator credits driver-led strategy for growth amid Uber competition
- Perry Richardson
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
A Bristol-based privacy hire operator has outlined how it expanded its footprint in a market reshaped by the arrival of Uber, citing long-term contracts and a focus on driver standards as key to its growth.
Sahara Parvaz, founder of Zoom Cars, said many local firms struggled to compete after Uber entered the Bristol market, with some closing within months and others relying on a limited number of corporate contracts supported by small driver numbers. Zoom Cars, she said, adopted a different approach centred on operating a round-the-clock service while building partnerships across the private and public sectors.
According to Parvaz, the company has positioned itself as one of the only independent private hire operators in Bristol offering a 24-hour, 365-day service to the public, alongside guaranteed transfers for corporate clients. In 2020, the firm introduced fixed fares to and from key transport hubs including train stations, hospitals, the airport and the bus station, while also beginning work with production companies at Bottle Yard Studios.
The following year, Zoom Cars partnered with First Travel Solutions to support Great Western Railway with crew transfers and disruption coverage across the South West of England. Parvaz said what began as operational support developed into a structured routine between drivers and railway crews, with services continuing through to December 2025.
Zoom Cars founder says independent operator expanded corporate and public sector contracts after entering market dominated by ride-hailing giant
The company also expanded into public sector work, providing services for Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership within the NHS and collaborating with local councils on school transport. Parvaz said this broadened its experience in supporting vulnerable passengers, an area that has become increasingly significant for operators seeking stable contract income.
Over the past three years, Parvaz described the firm’s growth as exponential, with its client base now including production companies, engineering firms, universities, hospitals, charities, airlines, language schools and care homes.
She attributed the company’s performance to its drivers, citing coordinated shift patterns to maintain coverage during peak seasons and religious holidays, additional training to support vulnerable passengers, and continued development of local road knowledge to manage Bristol’s congestion.
The expansion comes amid ongoing pressure on traditional taxi firms in most UK markets where app-based operators have secured significant market share. For independent operators, long-term institutional contracts, fixed fare models and specialist passenger services are increasingly viewed as mechanisms to offset volatility in rank and street-hail demand.
