CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for taxi services in Houston, TX
Taxi services in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area: 16 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 7-person team.
- Establishments
- 16CBP 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 0.2U.S. 1.0
- Rank
- 28th of 145areas by count
Taxi services in Houston, TX by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 16 establishments classified as Taxi Service (NAICS 485310) in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area. By establishment count the area is 28th out of 145 areas with published figures for taxi services.
Measured against its 7.8 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 0.2 taxi services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 1.0, so Houston, TX is 79.7% below the national figure.
| Measure | Houston, TX | Texas | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 16 | 75 | 3,441 |
| Mid-March employees | 153 (high noise) | 841 (moderate noise) | 22,790 |
| Annual payroll | $3,587,000 (high noise) | $32,502,000 (moderate noise) | $1,453,723,000 (moderate noise) |
| Employees per establishment | — | 11.2 | 6.6 |
| Payroll per employee | — | $38,647 | $63,788 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.0 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: taxi services in Houston, TX
Of the taxi services in Houston, TX that had employees in March 2023, 100.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 79.1%). For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 15 | 100.0% | 79.1% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 9.6% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 5.6% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 3.5% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.3% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for taxi services in Houston, TX
Local taxi companies still take bookings by phone, especially for airport runs and riders who do not use apps. Dispatch needs every call answered.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for taxi services in Houston, TX:
- A hotel calls for a taxi for a guest.
- A rider calls to book an airport pickup.
- A medical office calls for a patient ride.
Business texting for taxi services
Taxi companies text arrival notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Houston, TX have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
What a phone system costs a taxi company in Houston, TX
Census did not publish a reliable employee count for taxi services in Houston, TX, so this comparison uses the U.S. average of 7 people per establishment. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a taxi company in Houston, TX of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Houston, TX
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 713 has the most, with 747 of 2,385 exchanges (31%). A local number lets riders in Houston, TX call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 713 | 747 | Central | 1947 | 281, 346, 621, 832 |
| 832 | 547 | Central | 1999 | 281, 346, 713 |
| 281 | 393 | Central | 1996 | 346, 621, 713, 832 |
| 346 | 382 | Central | 2014 | 281, 621, 713, 832 |
| 936 | 144 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 979 | 100 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 409 | 71 | Central | 1982 | none |
| 806 | 1 | Central | 1957 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a taxi company in Houston, TX
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Houston, TX is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many taxi services are there in Houston, TX?
Census County Business Patterns counted 16 taxi services in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area in 2023.
What does a business phone system cost for a 7-person taxi company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 7 users cost $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $139.00.
What area code should a taxi company in Houston, TX use?
Area code 713 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 832 and 281. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a taxi company?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.