Taxi boss: restructure ‘a sign of the times’

Andcabs Ltd, which runs taxis in Invercargill and Gore, is restructuring which might result in the loss of nine jobs.

However, the owner is hopeful the service will continue in Gore.

Managing director Stewart Anderson said the restructure was a sign of the times, with his business competing with charities and other businesses offering people free rides home.

‘‘The business has to be economic – we’re not running a charity,’’ Anderson said.

‘‘There’s been a downturn in business. People aren’t going out as much. I can’t afford to pay a guy wages on a Sunday afternoon when he’s only bringing in $20.’’

A proposal to restructure the business was presented to staff in both towns last week.

‘‘It’s a discussion document. I’m waiting to talk to my staff to see where we go from here – we may just run in a different way.’’

Anderson said he did not want to alarm his loyal customers and he was hopeful the business would continue to operate in some form in Gore.

The company employs four drivers and a dispatcher in Gore to run its two cars and three vans, and four drivers in Invercargill.

In Gore, the proposal says while the company will continue to operate from the same premise, it will no longer employ any staff and instead lease its vehicles to drivers.

In Invercargill, the company employs four drivers and runs two vans and three cars. It is proposed that the company would relinquish its current shareholding with Blue Star Taxis, no longer operate under its ‘‘Blue Bubble’’ franchise and disestablish and make redundant all driving positions.

The document says Andcabs is in talks with Invercargill Taxis.

The company will announce its decision on Friday.