Former Liberty Cab drivers start new... <\/p>\n
CHICO, Calif. - There's a new cab in Chico, but these might look familiar. <\/p>\n
Just months after Liberty Cab went out of business after serving Chico for 12 years, some of its drivers have officially launched a new cab company. <\/p>\n
The former Liberty Cab drivers bought three taxi's from their former boss and transformed Liberty Cab into Star Taxi. <\/p>\n
\"I just want to drive. I don't know, it's so simple, I love driving,\" said Erik Schmidt, co-owner of Star Taxi. <\/p>\n
That's exactly what he and the other owner, Shawn Heater, plan to do. Schmidt said he only got five days notice from Liberty Cab that he would no longer have a job back when they closed in April. <\/p>\n
Now, he and two former drivers are back to serve the city. <\/p>\n
\"I just hope we can be the new Liberty, I just hope we can make it,\" Schmidt said. <\/p>\n
The taxis have the same look, with a new name. Three drivers are ready for duty 24 hours a day. <\/p>\n
They even deliver. Schmidt brought an Icee to a Chico man named Richard Kisling, who can't drive. \"It's pretty valuable [to me,] said Kisling. \"I can call [the taxi] that particular day to go somewhere and back and with [another transportation option] I'd have to make arrangements beforehand.\" <\/p>\n
It's the kind of bedside manner Schmidt said sets Star Taxi apart from other taxi companies and from the ride share options like Uber. <\/p>\n
\"Most of our demographic doesn't have smart phones,\" Schmidt said. \"Our average customer is probably about 40 or 50 years older than the average Uber user.\" <\/p>\n
The elderly or disabled make up about 80 percent of their business, which is slowly but surely on the rise. <\/p>\n
\"Today I feel better,\" said Schmidt. \"I was really scared, but we get about four or five more calls every day which is good right?\" <\/p>\n
It's a continuing improvement. The three hit the road July 13 with only six calls a day and now they're up to almost 25 a day just a week and a half later. <\/p>\n
Enough business means they'll be adding two more cabs sooner than later. <\/p>\n
\"I'm all in. I've sold everything I could possibly sell. I just put everything I have, it's gonna work,\" said Schmidt. <\/p>\n
The local business is asking for local help. Anyone who needs a ride is welcome to call Star Taxi at 530-466-8899. Schmidt said they're still working out some kinks in their call system. If that number doesn't work, call 530-966-0439. <\/p>\n
Schmidt said their former employers with Liberty Cab are fully supporting the new business. The average taxi can cost up to $5,000, but they're buying the already branded Liberty Cabs at a discounted rate of about $1,200. <\/p>\n
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Former Liberty Cab drivers start new service in Chico - KRCRTV.COM<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Liberty Cab drivers start new... CHICO, Calif. - There's a new cab in Chico, but these might look familiar Continue reading