Telecabs appears to have started taking bookings again after closing suddenly last night.
Taxi drivers said its booking and dispatch system was switched off overnight. One local driver told Manx.News that they were informed via WhatsApp at around 11.30pm that the system would be taken offline from midnight.
When Manx.News contacted Telecabs for comment, the auto reply stated:
Due to circumstances out of our control we are currently unable to operate until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Email reply to Manx.News from Telecabs
Self‑employed driver Dave Mackey posted on social media that he had received a message claiming Telecabs had been shut down with no notice. Mackey said the timing “could not have been worse” for people still traveling around the Island and urged anyone needing a taxi to contact him directly. He stressed he was not speaking on behalf of the company.
The WhatsApp message circulating among drivers claimed the booking and dispatch system would be switched off from midnight and remain unavailable until further notice. It also said the office would not be answering calls and that only pre‑bookings might still come through if a driver happened to be logged in. It remains unclear who wrote the message or whether it reflects the company’s actual position.
Opul’s Expanding Footprint
Opul, the company that owns Telecabs and has rapidly expanded across the Isle of Man in recent years. Opul now operates hotels, guest houses, coach fleets and taxi firms, and has taken over the former Tower House shopping centre, now branded as the Opul Centre.
The company has also been a major TT sponsor, with its branding appearing across the event and even lending its name to one of the races and TT hospitality. Its involvement in tourism, hospitality and transport has made it one of the most prominent names on the Island.
Opul has also had past links with the Manx Jet Centre, promoting its Opul Jets private aviation brand through the facility. The Jet Centre has since moved under different management, but Opul’s earlier association remains part of its wider push into travel and transport services.
No Official Word Yet
Despite the late‑night messages and growing speculation, neither Telecabs nor Opul has issued any public comment. Drivers say they have received no further explanation, and passengers are left unsure whether the system is down, partially working, or simply experiencing a temporary issue.
Even at the end of TT week, taxis remain in high demand as visitors head home or attend final events. Any disruption to a major dispatch system could still cause delays and put pressure on other operators.
Manx.News has contacted Telecabs and Opul for comment. The auto reply from Telecabs main email simply stated:
“Due to circumstances out of our control we are currently unable to operate until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience. Kind regards
Telecabs“
