"A lot of people are quite blown away when they realise we have a taxi service here, especially out-of-towners who are attending functions. I've been getting a lot of new clients, along with my regulars who are asking what are they going to do now?."
And while family was initially the main reason for selling their Dannevirke home and moving back to Australia, Popata, who has been working for Rangitane, has recently been headhunted by the organisation he worked for previously in Brisbane, delivering mental health services.
This means he will be leaving Dannevirke on November 24, earlier than he originally thought.
"This is going to be a bit of a loss for Dannevirke," Craig Boyden of For Homes For Farms said.
Boyden has used the taxi service and said if no one takes it over it will be a big loss for our town.
Popata said, although operating the service at night would sometimes be draining, everyone understood the hours he provided his service and people really appreciated it.
"I'd do everything from taking people out to the golf course for a wedding, to functions around town and just home safely from a night out," he said.
And there was no need for a meter, Popata and Cooper had a set price scale which people were told when they booked and it worked well.
If the business isn't sold before Popata leaves for Brisbane next week, the taxi will be left with Craig Boyden.
To operate the service you need a passenger license and have a police and medical clearance.
