Junior Casey Mindlin shows off his banner for his new taxi service. He said he started Safe Ride Taxi because he was a taxi driver, and knows there is a need for it. (CUIndependent/Aly Daugherty)
The hearing with the Public Utilities Commission to discuss approval for the new Safe Ride Taxi Service has been postponed until further notice.
Cab company Metro Taxi dropped their intervention Sept. 17 with Safe Ride Taxi, a late-night taxi service proposed by 21-year-old senior political science major Casey Mindlin.
Mindlin says the service is designed as a safe alternative on the Hill for students to use when returning home at night.
Metro Taxi and Yellow Cab both initially filed interventions against Mindlin’s business proposal. Yellow Cab still holds theirs.
Mindlin estimates the hearing will probably now be sometime in January.
This sudden change was brought on by what Mindlin said was the amount of testimonial evidence from people willing to speak out about their experience with Metro Taxi.
“It’s great that they’ve dropped the case, but at the same time it’s disappointing,” Mindlin said.
Public Utilities Commission spokeswoman Barbara Fernandez said the hearing is rescheduled to Feb. 1 and is planned to be a four-day hearing.
Fernandez added the hearing was rescheduled due in part to an illness of Mindlin’s attorney.
Mindlin says he has been awaiting his hearing with the Public Utilities Commission for a year now and the extra time will give him a good chance to become even more prepared than he already was.
“My plan until then is to refine the model and get insurance lined up,” Mindlin said.
He said Safe Ride Taxi has a community-based incentive.
“What people don’t initially pick up on is that there are families out on the Hill and what my business will do is to curb those late night disturbances,” Mindlin said.
Students say they agree that this will help with noise disturbances.
“You’re going to have fewer people walking home late at night doing stupid things and making lots of noise,” said junior psychology major Rachel Johnson.
Hours of operation are planned to be from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., providing students with a service that runs much later than CU NightRide. NightRide, which runs during the school year, ends services at 1:15 a.m. and 2 a.m. during finals week.
Mindlin said he is motivated to help the community because over his three years here, he has fallen in love with Boulder.
“If I can find any excuse to stay here, I’ll take it,” Mindlin said.
In regards to a long-term professional career, he said there’s plenty of time to do something else. Mindlin also said he knew he was “going to be here awhile.”
Mindlin said he made it a personal job of his to make sure he knows his staff.
“I’m friends with all of the drivers,” Mindlin said. “The person who does my merchandise I’ve known my whole life. I want to surround myself with people who I trust. Loyalty is really important to me.”
As a part of the Boulder business community, Mindlin says everybody knows everybody.
“It made it so spreading the knowledge and general awareness has been easy,” Mindlin said. “If people see someone who’s proactive, it’s an easy idea to get behind.”
There will be a well-stocked iPod in each taxi that passengers will have the privilege of controlling. In addition, trash bags and water bottles will be provided for those who may be sick or dehydrated.
“It can’t hurt. We’re going to take the necessary precautions to make it safe for people to travel,” Mindlin said.
Mindlin said his overall experience so far has been a really tedious process.
“But I love it. It’s been really encouraging because regardless of what kind of hindrance I’ve had, I’ve also had a lot of support from the community,” he said.
Mindlin said his outlook on his business venture despite setbacks is optimistic.
“We’ll be out there soon,” he said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jesse Flint at Jesse.flint@colorado.edu.
