Discussions

Just obtained my class 4 with the hopes of working on the sometimes negative view of cabbies, by showing there are some extra nice and helpful drivers out there. Plus it combines both my passions, the love of driving and helping people. But now that I've spent the time, effort and money to get it, I'm being told unless I live in the cab I won't be able to make a living at it?? Would like some knowledgeable feedback on the topic if possible please.

Not worth it. There are too many taxis in Brandon competing against each other 24/7. I know many owner/operators that have a tough time turning a profit most days.

my guess is probably not but you have the class 4 now, can you get a job and see if you like it and if it is? you dont have to stay at it if it isnt, unless you were thinking of jumping right in and buying your own stuff, then you better do more on your business plan before jumping in

My hubby was a driver (both owner operator and hired driver). We could never make ends meet, even with two incomes, and he worked 12 hour days and would come home.e with as little as $20 at the end of the day. You might not realize that you don't just drive the cab and keep the cash....you have dispatch fees every month ($700+), you have to pay to have the company logo on your cab ($90), you will need to have a driver ($1000+/month) unless you drive 24 hours a day, insurance ($400/month), and save for repairs (a cab goes threw a LOT of wear and tear) we saved about ($1000/month for repairs and internal cleanings (drunk people like to vomit in cabs)....so do the math, if you think you can do it....have fun! There are just too many cab companies running too many cabs at once to make a living nowadays...my hubby got fed up last year when his T4 said he only made $9000 for a YEAR of 12 hour shifts!!!

Should have been more clear...I won't be an owner operator it would be as a company driver . That also seems to be a bad decision??

I would think it all depends on what season it is or what days of the week! I would imagine days with bad snow storms or pay days are way busier than non !

I sent you a PM.

In my experience don't work as a driver. You'll work under the 50/50 system.  
You won't make enough money.  
On a typical Friday night you'll make $250 in cab fare. After you pay for gas you have $220 remaining. You now split that with the owner of the car 50/50. So for your 12 hour shift you go home with $110 plus tips. However on a quiet night you'll make $120 in fare $20 for gas, and then split. You go home with $50 or less. Not worth it.  
If you are an owner operator you will make more money but your expenses are a lot more. And you need to work 5-6 days per week. All the cab fare is yours to keep,  
You pay insurance $340/month. You pay all repairs about $200/month. You have to pay a dispatching fee to the company. That varies with each company, some cost as little as $600/month and as high as $1300/month.  
I have been an owner operator for a few years and if you can it's the way to go.  
Over the past few years after expenses in the winter I average $2000-$3000/week. However in the summer I averaged $1000-1500/week.  
If you are smart and manage your money you can do this for a living. I pay all of my expenses and bills on time. And have money to spend.  
The only negative is that I work 70 hours or more a week. Not much time for a social life.  
Good luck to you, if you make a go of it.

For all your input I appreciate your time and opinions.

Wading into the Taxi Driver chaos may be a decent chase you may want to try. All cab Companies in Brandon (which seems to be more than gas stations and bars combined. I have know many cab drivers not all but enough are always in a big competition to get the most fares. Unfortunately this has raised many concerns from numerous drivers about they way they are presenting themselves and getting to the end of your call to race to another call or sneak one from another competitor. You also have to deal with all the very happy drunk people.  
Not saying its not a great job but it is a melting pot of diversity, being courtesy to other drivers. Maybe try as a dispatcher at first to get the feel of it then decide.  
 
Good Luck

Imo it's it worth it

There's more money in delivering pizza for a local biz in a cheap, junky, little car... then to be shuttling people around with a licensed/insured, full sized, newer auto for an industry that doesn't pay out for many drivers. But, give it a shot now. This is the season to be a cab driver. See if someone has a car and needs that second shift to keep it on the road. You got the licence... use it.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong

More taxi's in Brandon per capita than any other city in Canada .... They got so many cabs on these guys work 12 hours to make 100$ and still gotta pay gas, maintain the cab and pay dispatch fees ..... all said and done 12 hours = $50....even as a just a driver your still working 12 hours for 20$ sometimes ... is that worth your time?? The problem is also people adding more and more taxis on without a thought about the cost(loss) down the road. I drove for many many years, and you think you would catch me driving again? Hell no !!! i got a mortgage to pay !! lol ....... dont get me wrong either the taxi industry has its great and fun moments, why im a dispatcher lol !!!