New cab service provides Athens more options

by Natalie Morales
Staff Writer

Late-night bar hoppers and daytime Wal-Mart shoppers now have another option for transportation.

Athens Cab, which opened for business Wednesday, Sept. 25, is offering a taxi service to Athens residents and students. Customers needing rides to Wal-Mart and Nelsonville have provided the majority of Athens Cab's business.

"The Athens night life also provides much of our business," said Brad Borchers, co-owner of Athens Cab. "A cab is cheaper than a DUI and provides safer roads in Athens."

Borchers, 23, and co-owner John Rinaldi, 27, both recent Ohio University graduates, decided to begin the business out of personal necessity, when they needed a cab on cold winter nights and the current companies could not adequately supply that need.

"It upset me personally a lot so I felt the need to do something about it," Rinaldi said. "So I told Brad I would fund (a cab company) if he would run it."

Borchers said business has gone better than he and Rinaldi expected.

"We're covering our operating costs," Borchers said. "It's outstanding for only being in business for one week."

Athens Cab charges customers by pre-divided prices listed on a map provided by the Athens City Code Enforcement Office, Borchers said. For example, a trip from Uptown to Wal-Mart is $4 and Uptown to University Courtyard is $3.

The map is formatted like a target, with the bull's-eye being the cross of Court and Washington streets, director of Code Enforcement Steve Pierson said. Charges increase as customers travel farther away from this point, but some city officials said this is not the most effective pricing system.

"This map is really not clear about the charges, so I think that's why Athens Cab is petitioning for meters instead," Pierson said.

Competition for Athens Cab lies solely in Tabs Transportation, which has operated in Athens for the last 28 years.

"There's a loyal following to Tabs," said owner Alice Kennedy. "Obviously it will have some effect, but we've seen them come and go."

Both services provide 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week transportation, which could benefit both Athens residents and students.

"(Cab rides) would be a good thing to look into because I have evening classes and without the bus, you are stuck walking home at night by yourself and that's not good," said Mel Todd, an OU junior telecommunications major.