Transporting Trail travellers

“Providing wheelchair accessible transportation so that families can be together for special events is very gratifying,” said Ian Thomas. — Photo courtesy Ian Thomas

As most business owners know, finding their space in the market is integral to their business’s viability. Ian Thomas, president and owner of Cedar Taxi Ltd. in Trail, B.C., discovered that the area’s transportation system was insufficient during his 16 years working in economic development. To remedy the problem, Thomas created Cedar Taxi last year. 

“Providing a wheelchair-accessible taxi service was a way for me to contribute to improving transportation services in the Greater Trail region, especially with the large and growing Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital and many seniors facilities,” Thomas said.

Besides filling a vital need in the community, Thomas’s favourite aspect of owning a taxi business is settling in behind the wheel and listening to passengers.

“Driving a taxi is one of the most interesting means to employment there is,” he said. “In just one month of night shifts, you could write a bestseller.”