Busy time for cab firm

It's been a hectic few weeks for River City Cabs owners Rhondda and Bob Anderson.

When Wanganui Taxis ceased trading suddenly on July 23, River City Cabs became the only taxi business in the city. It stepped in to help Wanganui Taxis fulfil its contractual obligations with 27 school runs.

With the help of Wanganui Taxis management and drivers, that was rather a smooth process, Mrs Anderson said.

Since then River City Cabs (RCC) has employed nine owner drivers formerly contracted to Wanganui Taxis and six other former Wanganui Taxis staff members.

"Previous Wanganui Taxis users will still see some of the same friendly faces among the River City Cabs fleet," Mrs Anderson said.

All the former Wanganui Taxis vehicles had to be signwritten with the RCC banner by August 26. The additions increase RCC's total of taxi vehicles from 15 to 26.

They now include six vans - three with total mobility equipment. Ten of the cars are fuel-efficient hybrids.

Fares have stayed the same, despite the other changes.

All the changes took time and energy. Mrs Anderson said New Zealand Transport Agency compliance officers had been accommodating during the transition, and she also thanked members of the Wanganui public for their patience. "Things will settle down in two or three months, once everything has bedded in."

The next change at RCC will be to have all 28 drivers in a uniform.

The combination of economic downturn and high compliance costs had made the taxi business a tough one at present, Mrs Anderson said.

With two businesses operating, there were 33 taxis in Wanganui. Bringing that number down to 26 would be more efficient. There would only be waiting times on weekend nights and there would be enough work to go around.

"It's down to the stage where it's making it more viable for the guys. People are starting to make a decent living."

River City Cabs started in 1996.