Cab companies, and their customers, feel the pinch of rising gas prices

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Cab companies, and their customers, feel the pinch of rising gas prices

By PAT BAILEY

Story Created: Jun 13, 2008 at 4:38 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 13, 2008 at 10:28 PM EST

UTICA - As gas prices continue to rise in the area, everybody, including some local businesses who depend on fuel are feeling the pinch.

The Courtesy Cab Company, in Utica, has been in business for 34 years. And now the price at the pump is starting to alter how they do business.

"Our minimum fare is $7," said Leonard Millbower, owner of Courtesy Cab. "The minute you get in the door of the cab, it's $7. Where before, in 1974. it was a dollar."

The main reason for that are these rising gas prices. 

The owner of the Courtesy Cab Company says when he started his business, in 1974, gas prices were a mere 49 cents a gallon. 

"Back in 1974, we were spending $2,000 a month for gas," Millbower said. "Now we're spending approximately $6,000 - $8,000 a month for gasoline."

Millbower says the only thing he can do is apologize to his customers for the increase in prices. But he says even though there is a slight increase, the company is still taking a hit.

"Being the oldest cab company in the city, we have to more or less absorb 90% of the increases," Millbower said. 

Millbower says generally the busiest time for the company is the first of the month. However if gas prices continue to climb, and he has to continue to raise rates, there is a question has to if they will be a busy time again. 

 

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Monday, Jun 16 at 12:55 PM old gents daughter wrote ...

To cab rider who wanted to know where the gentaleman who drove cab 45 went he finnaly retired and is enjoying it. I thank you for saying the nice things about my dad it makes us feel good to know others also see the good in him .

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Monday, Jun 16 at 8:41 AM Anonymous wrote ...

70 bucks from Utica to Ilion..and they feel the pinch??? Come on...

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Sunday, Jun 15 at 9:07 PM lori wrote ...

what happened to the state tax being dropped from gas, its getting to the piont that nobaody can afford to do anything

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Saturday, Jun 14 at 6:04 AM cab rider wrote ...

TO MR. CAB owner this is the reason I ride in the other cabs not yours because you are to high in your fares & your cabbies don,t smile . only the old gentalman who would drive cab 45 was friendly &helpful where did he go??

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