An award-winning Ayrshire taxi firm have expanded their fleet after branching into a popular seaside town.
Thistle Cabs Group based in Kilmarnock have taken over from 8'ees taxis in Troon.
Thistle, which also covers Ayr, has increased its South Ayrshire coverage with the move.
It comes as the team at Thistle were given the accolade of the best customer service in Scotland at the Scottish Passenger Transport Awards.
Thistle were announced as winners at a glitzy award bash in Glasgow which saw them beat competition including firms in some of the countries major cities.
But bizarrely the team weren’t even at the awards night and only found out they won through a text message.
Manager Graeme Russell, 47, told Ayrshire Live: “It’s a great achievement for the company.
“We never actually went to the awards because we never knew we had actually won it.
“It was a Sunday night and we were all working, next thing somebody messaged me from the awards congratulating me.”
Judges assessed the firm for their all round customer service including complaint handling.
And they found that Thistle led the way with drivers and call handlers all coming together to deliver top service.
Graeme added: “It’s a long time coming as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been at Thistle Cabs for 16 years and I know how hard all the staff work here.
“It’s not just our all round customer service to be honest, it’s even how we deal with complaints.
“It’s the kind of business we are in where you’ll have to deal with them.
“It is brilliant for a company in Ayrshire to be recognised as well, it is hugely appreciated.”
Graeme finally got his hands of the prize last week at Thistle Cabs Kilmarnock HQ.
The business is owned by father and son duo Ross and James Gilmour.
Ross, 39, is eyeing up a bright future after the takeover of long-standing taxi firm 8ees in Troon.
Ross said: “With every takeover there is a few teething problems but we’ve got through that.
“We’ve managed to retain all the drivers. The vision is now to try and grow the business in Troon.”
Ross says the timing of Thistle’s move into Troon has worked out perfectly with the town set to host the Open golf Championships next year.
Ross added: “We were conscious that it (the Open) was in the pipeline, it gives us a year to implement what we were going to carry that out.
“It gives us a chance to get to know the local area and businesses a wee bit more.”
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