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| Aroostook Republican Photo/ Lisa Wilcox Owner Lori Hodsdon stands with one of the six Ford Crown Victorias that make up Town Taxi’s fleet of vehicles. The cab company operates in both the Caribou and Presque Isle areas. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Anyone in the area who’s ever been in a pinch for a ride has probably spoken with Lori Hodsdon of Caribou. She is the owner of Town Taxi, a cab service that operates in both Caribou and Presque Isle, Hodsdon opened the business on Sept. 7, 2001 at the encouragement of her parents, Edward and Stella, who both worked for City Cab before it went out of business.
“They had more faith in me than I had in myself,” Hodsdon admits about the decision to become a business owner with no prior experience. She had worked for Columbia Forest Products previously.
Town Taxi has grown significantly over the past 11 years. Hodsdon now has a fleet of six cabs, all Ford Crown Victorias, which she believes to be the most reliable and rugged vehicle on the road. The cab company employs 13 drivers, including Hodsdon, who also does dispatch work.
Hodsdon says that what she finds most challenging is answering the abundance of calls she receives each day in a timely and safe fashion. The majority of her customers are regulars and, Hodsdon says, her drivers and customers form a special relationship.
“We had three customers pass away recently — all in the same week,” Hodsdon said, “and my drivers were devastated. You really do become like family.”
Maintenance of the vehicles, insurance, gas and workers’ compensation insurance are Hodsdon’s biggest expenses. She believes that the current condition of the economy has actually helped boost her business, as many people find it less expensive to spend $6 for a cab ride than maintain an automobile on their own. Her vehicles are inspected every six months by the state and she has to acquire a license annually to do business in both cities.
This time of year is a busy one maintenance-wise as Hodsdon has to prepare her vehicles for winter. She believes checking radiators and the installation of studded snow tires are key.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important studded snow tires are,” she advises.
When road conditions become extremely hazardous in the winter, Hodsdon does not pull her fleet off the road completely, but will limit out-of-town travel. With the exception of an emergency situation, Hodsdon said she does not want to subject her employees or passengers to the more dangerous conditions outside of city limits.
Hodsdon warns that running a cab company is not as easy as one might think.
“It’s hard,” she admits. “Every day is different.”
According to Hodsdon, she could fill a book with stories about her and her drivers’ experiences with operating a cab. Her favorite day to work is New Year’s Eve, which she has worked every year for the past 11 years and will continue to do so as long as she can.
“Everyone is so happy and upbeat,” she says of the night. “It’s a positive experience and a great way to start off the year.”
Town Taxi is available in both the Caribou and Presque Isle areas 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may request a cab by calling the Caribou office at 496-3146, or Presque Isle at 764-3200.
