Lack of taxi transport inspires Wonga Beach man to start up a new people mover service
Private Taxi
Jason Baker heard many times recently while chatting to locals in Wonga Beach, Mossman and several other Douglas towns and suburbs about a lack of taxi and Uber services – so he has decided to start up his own.
The Wonga Beach man put out a ‘survey’ on social media to see what the public thought about him setting up a people mover business to be available for trips locally, and into Cairns and Cairns airport and the response he said was “overwhelming.”
“Top idea” “Great idea” “Excellent idea, go for it!!” were the typical responses from residents in many Douglas Shire towns and suburbs, some also saying how difficult it was to get existing taxi services to answer calls.
He has a new eight-seater Kia Carnival people mover on order in Townsville and plans to pick it up from there next week. Within a matter of days after that, he intends to be up and running.
“I’ve had calls from all over, including from a resort in Port Douglas which wants to send work my way, and a lady who used to operate taxis in the area and who can put me onto hospital pickups and trips like that,” Mr Baker said.
While Mr Baker is based at Wonga Beach, he believes the demand for the private taxi will come from all over.
“People like to be able to go into Port Douglas for a night out, have a few drinks and not have to worry about driving home.
“There is obviously a huge gap in taxi services in the Douglas area, just judging by the response to my new service already.”