TRANSPORTATION DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
Kingston Kabs’ new owner unfazed by Uber and Lyft, says she’s committed to efficiency
Even with Uber and Lyft catching on in Ulster County, Joy Signa is banking on people still wanting to use the old-fashioned service she offers for getting around: cab rides.
That’s a primary reason, Signa said, that she bought Kingston Kabs — a taxi company that serves mainly Kingston and Ulster County — in March of this year.
Signa, a Long Island native who lives in Orange County and is the mother of three boys, is no stranger to traditional taxi service. Her father, Bill Schultz, operated Valley Stream Taxi on Long Island for 40 years until he retired. And three years ago, Signa bought Monroe Taxi in Orange County.
“I have kind of grew up in the taxi business,” Signa, 34, said in a recent interview.
She declined to say how much she paid for Kingston Kabs, but she said she is committed to improving the company’s efficiency and adding drivers.
“I know that [cabs getting to customers quickly] has been an issue in the past,” Signa said of Kingston Kabs under its previ-
ous ownership. “But let it be known that we are the new owners and we are hiring.”
The company — based at 440 Route 28 in the town of Ulster, just outside the city of Kingston — currently has between 20 and 25 fulland part-time drivers who use a fleet of 16 taxis, Signa said.
Signa said Kingston Kabs can be profitable even as Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services make inroads upstate.
“If a driver messes up, you have a real person to talk to,” she said. “I have accountability as the owner for my employees, and I
want to do a good job.
“You may love us or hate us, but you know if something goes wrong, you are going to get in touch with me, a real person who cares about safety and the Ulster County community,” Signa added.
Signa noted that the cabs themselves “have my name and phone number all over them.”
Another key difference between Kingston Kabs and the ride-hailing services is the city of Kingston regulates what the taxi company can charge for rides, and city police conduct criminal background checks of its drivers.
Signa also noted that the company charges a flat fee, $5.50, for a ride anywhere within the city of Kingston
at any time of day.
Signa said her family’s success in the taxi industry is another reason local customers can expect good service from her.
“I have seen it all,” she said. “We really like the people here, and there is no place to go but up.”
She also said it could have been fate that brought her to Kingston Kabs. The company used to be called Schultz Taxi, and Schultz is Signa’s maiden name.
Aside from providing rides, Kingston Kabs has teamed up with the charitable organization Miles of Hope to raise awareness of breast cancer.
One of Kingston Kabs’ vehicles has been painted pink as part of that effort, Signa said.