MOUNT VERNON — One of the two taxi cab businesses in town recently closed. The other isn’t going anywhere.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said he received written notification early in May from the company that insured Dad’s Taxi of Mount Vernon. The letter stated that, as of May 3, the business was no longer insured. He said that means Dad’s can no longer operate a taxi cab business in the city unless the policy is renewed.
Fastcab – (740) 501-5499
MOTA – (740) 392-7433
The owner of Dad’s Taxi could not be reached for comment.
The other taxi business, Fastcab, is still in operation. Taxi cab businesses require a permit from the administration to operate within the city. Last year, the city designated a parking space on Ohio Avenue for taxi cabs to use to help provide service to would-be customers.
Mavis said he thinks it is a shame that Dad’s closed, because the business provided a beneficial service to the community, including driving people home from bars and cutting down on the number of intoxicated drivers on the street. He said the need for taxi cab services in the city appears to be growing.
Brian Jones of Fastcab said they are busy. The business is owned by his wife, Tracy Jones, and opened almost a year ago. He said business has spiked about 50 percent since Dad’s closed about three weeks ago.
“We do a lot of airport runs from Kenyon College on the weekends,” he said.
Jones said that despite the increase in business, rising gas prices obliged him to raise rates from $1 a mile to $6 for the first three miles and $1.70 for each additional mile. He said the company recently acquired a car from a MOTA auction; the car is being repaired and will soon be on the street.
Fastcab currently has two operating vehicles, but Jones said he thinks it is very possible the company will add more in the future.
The phone number for Fastcab is not listed in the phonebook. Jones said the number can be accessed with an Internet search, and business cards are found in several local businesses. Hours are Sunday through Wednesday, 6 a.m. to midnight, and, Thursday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.
