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 Gulen Gelale, Nam Nguyen, Viet Le and John and Nick Bastas remove the Yellowknife Cabs dome from one of their cars. Over a dozen Yellowknife Cabs drivers quit this Sunday and are forming their own cab company. - Nathan VanderKlippe/NNSL photo |
According to some of the drivers starting the company, about a dozen cabbies will strike out with a dispatch team to create Diamond Cabs.
Some of those drivers left Yellowknife Cabs, saying they were fed up with the financial situation there.
"The last three months it's been us (the cab drivers) keeping (the company) alive," said Nick Bastas, one of the renegade drivers.
"We want to have some kind of future. Some of these guys have babies and kids."
John Dalton, owner of Yellowknife Cabs, disputed the claims about his company's viability. He said he has three new cars hitting the road this week.
"There's nothing changed, no absolutely not. We're extremely alive and well," he said.
Before some of the drivers walked off the job, Yellowknife Cabs had about 25 licensed drivers.
According to city officials, Yellowknife Cabs has operated without a business licence since Feb. 1. Municipal enforcement manager Doug Gillard said he is working with City Cabs to straighten out a few remaining issues before the licence is renewed.
Gillard said that, technically, a company can be charged the first day of operation without a licence.
But, he said, "If they're showing that they're working toward getting it renewed, we work with them."
The drivers forming Diamond Cabs have already put down $100 for a business licence to purchase their new company name, and have selected a new colour: metallic grey.
The company will be co-operatively owned and operated.
Gillard confirmed that registration was in process for the new company, but warned that the cab drivers might not be able to get all of their cars painted in two weeks.
Having a uniform fleet colour is a requirement for a cab company.
The only other taxi company in town, City Cab, is taking a wait-and-see attitude.
"One comes, one goes. It's the status quo," said general manager Shirley McGrath.
City Cab has 51 cars on the road. McGrath said business this year has been "very, very busy," but added that "competition is healthy for everyone."
