Neptun Taxi: the history of the creation and development of the No. 1 corporation in Gdańsk
- Damian Brzeski
- 56 minutes ago
- 11 min read
If Neptun had a taxi, I would travel with them. The story of Neptun Taxi is not only a chronicle of local business, but also a story of ambition, the chaos of transformation and the entrepreneurial spirit of Gdańsk.
It started with a few yellow roosters on roofs and numbers written on cards by the phone, and ended with a corporate giant that dominated the streets of the Tri-City. How did it happen that a company that started among a dozen others became the only one that an entire generation remembers?
Everything intertwines in this story: the PRL void, the branding of the 1990s, and the war over the airport.
The Beginnings of the Private Era: The Birth of Taxi Corporations in Gdańsk (1990s)
Imagine Gdańsk in the early 1990s – a city that was coming to life after years of socialist dullness.
It was a time when, almost overnight, the doors to private initiative opened and entrepreneurship blossomed like spring flowers after a long winter.
One of the industries that underwent a real revolution was passenger transport. Interestingly, it was here, in the capital of Pomerania, that the ground for the development of private taxi corporations turned out to be exceptionally fertile.
Why? The Municipal Taxi Company (MPT) had not been operating here since 1970, which created a gap, a real void, which new, brave players eagerly began to fill.
For us, the locals, this meant something really fundamental – for the first time it was possible to order a taxi by phone!
Just think what a huge leap in quality that was compared to having to search for a free vehicle at a rest stop. A real relief, right?
Market Pioneers: Who Dared to Change the Face of Gdansk Taxis?
The year 1992 was forever etched in the history of Gdańsk taxi services . It was then that the first radio taxi corporations began to appear, like mushrooms after rain, and changed the rules of the game in this industry forever.
Among the pioneers who boldly started to fight for customers in this fascinating new world, there were several companies whose names still sound familiar, evoking memories among older residents of Gdańsk .
Super Chronos & Radio Taxi (tel. 9192): A true pioneer and one of the most recognizable players. Their distinctive yellow and black logo is so strongly embedded in the memory of many Gdańsk residents that the mention of it brings a smile. Remember the slogan "ATTRACTIVE PRICES!"? Archived press ads from 1996 and 1998 only confirm their active presence on the market and inventive marketing activities.
Neptun Taxi (tel. 9626): It was founded shortly after that first wave, and its name, strongly referring to Gdańsk's maritime identity , turned out to be a bull's-eye – an extremely apt and lasting marketing choice. Today, it is synonymous with a taxi in Gdańsk .
City Taxi (tel. 9193): Another important player from that era, whose trademark was an original logo – a witch on a broomstick against a yellow sun. This company also actively advertised in the local press, strengthening its position.
Hallo Taxi (tel. 9197) and Super Hallo Taxi (tel. 9191): Two entities that also started in 1992 and, as it turned out later, played a key role in the process of consolidation of the entire market. Hallo Taxi proudly emphasizes its long heritage, informing that Neptun Taxi services (although at that time it was not yet this name, but rather a similar company providing taxi services Gdańsk ) have been providing services continuously since 1992.
Market Landscape: Who and How Fought for the Customer in Gdańsk?
The early 90s were a time of dynamic, unfettered competition. The market was highly fragmented, and success was determined by several key factors: primarily brand recognition, a catchy and easy-to-remember phone number, and most importantly - visibility on the city streets.
Remember those characteristic, large roosters on the roofs, called "batons" in the community? They were a real symbol of those times!
Active promotional activities, such as distributing leaflets and stickers, were key tools in the daily struggle for survival and further development.
The emergence of so many separate taxi companies in 1992 was more than just a business phenomenon. It was a fundamental change in the consumer culture of the entire Tri-City .
Previously, the customer had a very limited choice. The entry of companies such as Chronos, Neptun Taxi , City or Hallo into the market introduced completely new concepts: brand identity, competition based on quality (the ability to order a taxi by radio, not by chance!) and, of course, marketing (characteristic logos, simple phone numbers).
The fact that the name “Chronos” has been remembered so well is proof of the effectiveness of these early branding efforts.
This period was the symbolic birth of a truly consumer taxi market, a microcosm of the broader economic transformation in Poland. The fight for the customer became a fight for brand recognition on the streets of Gdańsk .
Mergers, Changes and Birth of "City Plus Neptun Taxi" (ca. 2002-2003)
At the beginning of the new millennium, around 2002, the first clear signs of consolidation began to appear on the Tri-City market. Do you remember those times?
Suddenly, it turned out that the "roller" of competition was rolling harder and harder, and smaller corporations began to look for allies.
The key evidence for this process is an article from the trojmiasto.pl website from 2002, which features an intriguing name… “ Neptun Super Chronos ”!
Yes, yes, you heard correctly. The same text even quotes the president of this new formation - Jerzy Mikiewicz.
This is a direct confirmation that the Chronos corporation we met earlier has not disappeared from the market as it might seem.
Instead, it was simply "absorbed" into a larger structure formed together with Neptune .
Thanks to this discovery, we know why so many Gdańsk residents still remember both companies as inextricably linked. It was the beginning of a new era in Gdańsk taxi services !
Registration of Legal Power: Official Birth of a Giant in the Tri-City
The formal culmination of all these complicated consolidation processes was the registration in the National Court Register of an entity which, mind you, is still operating today!
On September 29, 2003, the " Association of Owners of Private Transport City Plus Neptun Taxi " was officially established (KRS: 0000174745, NIP: 5832832297), with its registered office at 9 Wyzwolenia Street in Gdańsk .
This date is a real turning point, a symbolic birth of a modern corporation that dominated the local taxi market in Gdańsk for many, many years. It is safe to say that from that moment on, Neptun Taxi began to offer its services at a completely new level.
Period | Company Name(s) | Key Event/Status |
1992 | Super Chronos & Radio Taxi, Neptun Taxi , City Taxi, Hallo Taxi | Founded as an independent, competitive radio taxi corporation. |
ca. 2002 | Neptune Super Chronos | Merger of the Neptun and Chronos brands. |
before 29.09.2003 | ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE TRANSPORT OWNERS CITY PLUS HALLO TAXI | Registration in the National Court Register of the entity created from the merger of City Taxi and Hallo Taxi. |
29/09/2003 | ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE TRANSPORT OWNERS CITY PLUS NEPTUN TAXI | Final merger of the two entities and change of name to the current one. |
This sequence of name changes was by no means accidental. It reflects a well-thought-out strategy for the brand's evolution.
In the first stage, in the 1990s, a multitude of independent taxi companies were fighting for every piece of the market pie.
In the second stage, around 2002, the consolidation process began. It was then that " Neptun " and "Chronos" joined forces to create the " Neptun Super Chronos " brand to intelligently use the recognition of both names.
In parallel, or perhaps at a very similar time, "City Taxi" and "Hallo Taxi" formed an alliance, which resulted in the creation of "City Plus Hallo Taxi" - the "Plus" part most likely symbolized the addition of another partner, increasing the range and level of Neptun services .
The final stage, in 2003, saw the merger of these two powerful blocs into one dominant entity.
The choice of the final name – “ City Plus Neptun Taxi ” – was undoubtedly a strategic decision.
The abandonment of the "Chronos" and "Hallo" members in favor of keeping " Neptune " strongly suggests that it was this brand, with its strong local roots and maritime pedigree, that was considered the most valuable and most marketing asset, capable of leading the newly established mega-corporation to market success.
This is how the dominant force that was to revolutionize Gdańsk taxi services and the way of ordering a taxi ride was born.
Domination, Controversy and Conflict (2000s)
After a dynamic consolidation in 2003, the newly established "City Plus Neptun Taxi" quickly became an absolute leader, a true driving force on the Tri-City transport market.
Already in 2012, this impressive corporation had a fleet of over 700 cars – from agile passenger cars, through practical station wagons, to spacious buses.
The scale of Neptun's operations and level of services allowed them not only to acquire, but also to permanently maintain prestigious contracts.
Did you know that they had the exclusive right to operate the Lech Wałęsa Airport? And what about transport during the elections on behalf of the Voivodeship Office and
Marszałkowski? That's something, isn't it? It only confirms that Neptun Taxi offers truly comprehensive and professional services .
The Price Scandal (2009-2010): The Dark Side of Domination?
However, this period of dominance was not free from controversy and even… scandals! In 2009-2010, the company found itself at the center of an investigation by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) in a case that sounds like a script for a crime movie – price fixing.
Charges: The UOKiK proceedings concerned as many as three entities: Hallo Taxi, Super Hallo Taxi and "City Plus Neptun Taxi " itself. They were accused of nothing more than an illegal agreement and coordinated, open introduction of identical fares!
The initial fee was then PLN 8.50, and the price per kilometer was PLN 2.70. Sounds like a conspiracy, right?
The companies introduced an identical initial fee and the same prices per kilometre of driving. In this way, they eliminated competition between themselves - explains the president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, Małgorzata Krasnodębska-Tomkiel.
Evidence: The case was based on some really strong evidence. It was determined that the corporations had entered into this “secret” agreement before the official publication of the price lists. But you know what was the key, almost flawless evidence? All three companies had their advertising flyers printed by the same printing house, and on those materials there was… the same typo!
This clearly indicated coordination of actions, and not any market coincidence. A blank sheet of paper and a printing error became evidence in the case!
During the proceedings it turned out that the tacit agreement had been concluded before the official price lists were published, and the advertising leaflets even contained the same mistake - a so-called typo: instead of the phrase "on Sundays and holidays", it appeared "on Sundays and holidays".
Consequences: UOKiK, without hesitation, deemed these practices illegal. The companies were fined PLN 81,000 and ordered to immediately cease prohibited practices.
Interestingly, in response to the office's inspection, Super Hallo Taxi and City Plus Neptun immediately significantly reduced their prices, which only confirmed the effectiveness of the intervention. Conclusion? Nobody likes the abuse of a dominant position!
Airport War: Whose Land is It?
Another hot field of conflict was the Gdańsk Airport. As the official airport carrier, " City Plus Neptun Taxi " has been waging a real "war" with non-affiliated drivers for years.
The former accused independent taxi drivers of intrusive solicitation of customers, outrageously inflating prices (even twice!) and damaging the reputation of the entire industry, especially in the eyes of foreign tourists.
The conflict was so serious that there were even threats, and special reflective vests were introduced to distinguish official carriers.
The then president reported that incident reports were meticulously prepared and sent to the police. A real taxi epic!
Neptun Taxi Today: Leader in the New Market Reality
Imagine a market that was once dominated by a handful of players, now bursting at the seams with new technologies and aggressive pricing strategies. This is exactly the current landscape, where Neptun Taxi still proudly holds its position!
Current Status: Unchanging Position Amidst Changes
Today, the Association of Private Transport Owners City Plus Neptun Taxi is still one of the main players on the Tri-City transport market, although it is a shadow of itself with less than 300 active drivers.
Interesting fact? The company's headquarters is still located at ul. Wyzwolenia 9 in Gdańsk.
The corporation can still boast a large fleet of vehicles, because Neptun Taxi offers something for everyone - from standard passenger cars, ideal for a quick trip around the city, tospacious buses that can easily transport 5 to 8 people.
What's more, the company remains the official, recommended partner of Lech Wałęsa Airport in Gdańsk . That really builds trust, doesn't it? This level of Neptun services is a guarantee of reliability!
New Challenges, New Competition: Who Threw Down the Gauntlet?
The modern market landscape for passenger transport has been fundamentally changed. The emergence of mobile app- based platforms has meant that the old rules of the game no longer apply.
The biggest challenge for traditional corporations, including taxi Neptun , has become the aggressive expansion of transport companies such as Uber, Bolt, iTaxi and FreeNow (formerly MyTaxi).
Recently, iTaxi has been actively consolidating the market, taking over older Tri-City corporations such as Komfort Taxi, AS Taxi or Dajan Taxi. This puts Neptun Taxi in a completely new, extremely interesting competitive situation.
It must defend its established position against a rival that operates on the basis of a different technological and business model and that is growing rapidly, wanting to offer taxi ride bookings in an innovative way.
At the same time, it is eroding Neptune’s business pillar, i.e. permanent cooperation with hotels and businesses.
Over Three Decades on the Road – The Legacy and Future of Neptun Taxi
The history of the Neptun Taxi Drivers Association is a truly fascinating story about evolution, adaptation and… survival in a world of constant change.
Its journey, from its fragmented beginnings as pioneering 1990s brands like the iconic Chronos and Neptun itself, through the complex and strategic mergers that created the powerhouse known as City Plus Neptun Taxi , to today’s position as an established institution, is a perfect case study in the development of Polish business after transformation.
This story reflects a larger national narrative: a period of deregulation, fierce competition, consolidation to achieve scale, and a constant confrontation with challenges, especially technological ones.
The heritage of Neptun Taxi is inextricably linked with the history of modern Gdańsk .
The company not only transported millions of passengers, witnessing their joys, sorrows and rushes, but also was an active participant and observer of key moments in the life of the city.
Its history, marked by successes and market dominance, as well as public controversy, shows the complexity of building a lasting brand in such a dynamically changing market.
Today, in the face of a new wave of competition – and what a competition! – from global digital platforms, the association faces another historic challenge.
We are no longer talking just about local rivals or price competition between corporations.
We are talking about giants like Uber, Bolt or Free Now, which have literally revolutionized the way people order taxis and use taxi services .
This is a market where not only tradition counts, but above all speed, the intuitive Neptun Taxi application , flexibility and often... price.
The future of Neptun Taxi will depend on its ability to combine its greatest asset – over three decades of experience, years of trust and a strong local identity – with the innovation that the permanently changed passenger transport market absolutely requires.
Will Neptun continue to be the number one taxi driver in Gdańsk ? Only time will tell whether tradition and experience will win over dynamism and innovation. One thing is for sure: it will be interesting!
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