New Taxi Service

Looks as if we may have a new taxi service starting up to replace the late, lamented Yellow Cab and provide competition to Ace Taxi:

A public hearing regarding an application from Gerald Dunn, d/b/a Saluki Cab and Limo Service, requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (Taxicab Business License) will be held in Conference Room A at the Carbondale City Hall/Civic Center on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. 

For some reason, the attempt by a prior employee to get the city to approve either a transfer or relicensing of Yellow Cab never went anywhere, leaving the city with just one taxi service.

Yellow Cab Closed

In case you have not noticed, the distinctive yellow taxis of Yellow Cab vanished from Carbondale's streets over a month ago and the office shut down as well.  I just noticed the sign on the long time downtown business had been painted over.  From conversations with a couple of the drivers, it appears that tax problems were at least partially responsible for the business' closure.

It appears long time Yellow Cab employee Diane Tatum has sought to reopen Yellow Cab (scroll down) but the city has denied her application for a cab certificate, needed before she can reopen the business.  Granted, Yellow Cab's taxis did not look particularly appealing but customers used them regularly and the company provided employment for a number of people who are now out of work.