Almost three months after getting the go-ahead to set up Innisfail's first professional taxi service, Daryl Frenette is shaking his head in bewilderment.
The 54-year-old owner of Associated Cab Innisfail can't find enough drivers to start his service.
“It is a heartbreaker. I am at a loss. If anybody has some suggestions I am all ears. I just don't have any,” said Frenette, who has owned Associated Cab Red Deer since 2003.
Frenette was given the green light to proceed last July after town council approved Innisfail's first-ever Taxi Bylaw that allows up to eight licensed cabs to serve the community. The bylaw also stipulates the requirement of identification plates for each vehicle, a fee structure for each metered cab and driver -- as well as for the broker -- and that the service operates with a communication system 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A scaled-down taxi service has been offered to Innisfailians by Ray Plato, who has operated Innisfail Taxi Ltd. with two vehicles for the past 14 years.
Frenette has been anxious to begin a satellite service in town as his market studies showed there was a demand. He estimates he has already invested about $50,000 into the new professional taxi service for Innisfail.
With that initial investment, he has created a new fleet of four cabs – all registered, insured and fully licensed with the town -- and upgraded his computer dispatch system to specifically serve the town.
“I have one guy that is interested in going there (Innisfail) but he can't go by himself. I can't put just one driver there,” said Frenette, adding he wants to start up with three drivers as it would provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “They will be working long shifts as it is.”
In recent weeks he has advertised heavily in newspapers and on websites for drivers but has still come up empty.
“It is more challenging than I thought it would be, which I am dismayed about because I can see it. They will make money. I know they will,” said Frenette. “I have asked guys locally if they are interested but no, which I find odd because I know there is business there. I have actually had two sets of couples asking when and I said, ‘I need drivers. It is not because I don't want to do it'.”
Frenette said he is now considering posting flyers around town to get additional word out that he has taxi-driving jobs available.
