13cabs launches two vehicles in Albany, edging into locally operated taxi market with app and fixed prices

Australia’s largest cab company has arrived in Albany, launching its first fleet in the region this month. 13cabs officially began operating in Albany on February 10, with two vehicles and an associated fixed-price app now servicing the city. In a market catered to solely by local businesses, such as Albany City Cabs, Rainbow Coast Taxis, Great Southern Taxis, and Eclipse Taxis Albany, the national company is an outlier. Owned by A2B Australia, the company operates a 10,000-strong network of taxis across the country and provides a 24/7 service. Head of fleet at A2B Greg Hardeman said the company was approached about expanding to the region late last year. “We were approached by some local drivers who wanted to take a different route to what they’ve been used to,” he said. “They approached us, and we facilitated that start by allowing the branding and marketing to be used in the region, as well as the booking channels that are provided by 13cabs. “They just wanted a national presence and that national backing, rather than being with what they’ve had in the past, so they can see the benefits of 13cabs with the use of the app and the web booking. “They thought that was an attraction to get more bookings through their taxis.” The Great Southern launch is the latest in a series of regional WA expansions for the company, having branched out to Broome, Karratha, Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland and Bunbury in the past year and a half. The expansion came after a 2024 partnership with the Perth-based Swan Taxis — a move 13cabs chief operating officer Olivia Barry labelled as one of the “most significant shake-ups of WA’s transport industry in decades”. “We introduced fixed-price fares for the first time across Swan’s 1000-vehicle fleet, bringing app-based payments and modern booking options to customers Statewide,” she said. “The opening of the Albany fleet reflects 13cabs’ long-term strategy to support regional communities with dependable transport services while creating sustainable opportunities for local drivers and operators.” Mr Hardeman said the appeal of having a fixed price before taking a trip was a significant boon to customers, as was the convenience of the app. “It’s a great tool for travellers, and especially into those growing areas south of Perth, near Busselton and Bunbury, and all the way down in Albany, where people who are travelling can just use the 13cabs app and get fixed price fares and have the seamless ability to book a cab,” he said. He said more vehicles may be added to the fleet at a later date if local drivers see the demand.