CABBIE TO OFFER $100 FARE
With some commuters struggling to make ends meet, and are unable to afford transportation expenses, one taxi operator is on a mission to transform the industry by giving back.
Starting this Thursday, taxi operator of 15 years O’Neil Davis, popularly known as 1 Voice, will be launching his new charitable initiative called ‘Dolla Thursdays’ when, every Thursday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., adult passengers will only be charged $100 fare, saving them $50. Children will be charged $50, half of the original cost.
In addition, starting this Saturday, Davis, who plies the Cross Roads to Arnett Gardens route in St Andrew will be giving $500 phone credit to passengers who travel with him five or more times for the week. He told THE STAR that he decided to do this because he recognises that his passengers are struggling financially.
“Based pan weh mi see, most people have a struggle day to day moving back and forth paying fares and all of that. Some people even have to a beg a drive and people nuh supposed to a live suh, suh mi wah duh sumi fi help them out,” Davis said.
This is not Davis’ first time giving back to his customers as on December 27, as a Christmas gift to his passengers, he gave free rides between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. He did the same as an Easter treat this year, and although his profits were reduced, he plans to continue this charitable act after every major holiday.
“Yuh have to give back in order to gain. This is a business, is not just taxi and if you look at it one way, you will never catapult pass the competition. This is all about customer appreciation, business looking good and everybody feeling good,” Davis said.
“Mi competitor nah guh feel good but mi customers dem will. Mi care zero ‘bout mi competition. This is how me duh business. 1 Voice is for the people at large and mi wah mi customer spend them money and get them money’s worth,” the taxi operator said, opining that most times, customers don’t get back anything for their money.
“Sometimes them cah even get a ride free if them don’t have a $1… and a time fi that change,” he added.