One area taxi company wants services in the City of Utica cleaned up
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: September 26, 2012
One official wants the City of Utica to pass a law to clean up the taxi services.
"The cars wouldn't and shouldn't pass inspection not to mention the odors," says Elite Taxi owner, Barbara Rynier.
Barbara Rynier of elite taxi says some of the area cabs are not up to standards. Oneida County Legislator David Gordon agrees and says he would like to see taxi services cleaned up in the City of Utica.
Legislator Gordon is calling for legislation to mandate better standards for the Utica based taxi services.
"A lot of that has to start with what people see when they come here. When people move here if they need to take a taxi or they need to travel that they are safe and secure," says Legislator David Gordon, D-14.
Feeling clean, safe and secure is what Barbara says her cab company is all about. She says the negative image portrayed in the community needs to change.
"I would want to provide a service that would be provided to my mother, my daughter my grandchildren. That makes an impact on our area. Are we hospitable or are we going to be rude," says Rynier.
Barbara Rynier is the co-owner of Elite Taxi mainly serving the Utica-Rome area.
She says she started her business back in the 90s when she saw the quality of taxi cabs in the city.
"This is a profession. Driving is a profession. Transporting passengers is a profession. And the business needs to be run professionally," says Rynier.
But, Barbara says some of her competition doesn't seem to take their jobs seriously.
She says although it is tough to keep up with business fees like paying for insurance and gas, she says that should not be an excuse for poor quality service.
Barbara says she is trying to run her business the right way and provide reliable service. She hopes her contemporaries follow her lead whether it be by their own will or legislation.
