Strathmore Taxi takes to Strathmore’s streets

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

After a three-month hiatus, a taxi cab is back on Strathmore’s streets, and it won’t remain the only one.
Strathmore resident Ajaypal Singh, who put six years of taxi driving experience on his vehicle’s wheels, decided to take matters into his own hands and supply the town with the much-needed service after the last taxi cab turned off its engine in mid-April.
In February, Strathmore’s local taxi companies failed to renew their chauffeur permits – or driver’s permit – and comply with the newly implemented Taxi Bylaw changes. The changes included criminal record checks, routine vehicle inspections, and obtaining a basic first aid certificate. While the former Strathmore Hotshot/Shuttle Service Shuttle and Economy Taxi and Strathmore Taxi disagreed with the changes and eventually shut down their businesses, Singh officially started a service under the name Strathmore Taxi – the same company name once used by Strathmore Taxi Owner Martin DePeuter – on June 6.
“I waited three months for the other guys to come back; they didn’t come back so someone had to do it,” he said.
“I’ve driven taxi in Calgary for six years and then I tried Uber too. I lived here in town and was going every day to Calgary to do the same work. Then this opportunity came up and I thought I might as well try this.”
Singh has lived in Strathmore for the past 11 years and is often recognized by members of the community for once having owned the Country Donair shop downtown Strathmore. When real estate became too expensive to try and re-open the business, Singh turned to driving taxi, Uber and truck.
Currently Strathmore Taxi operates one vehicle in town with a rate of $10 anywhere within town. Singh also has one other driver who recently received his first aid certification and is planning on acquiring a seven-seat van over the next few months. While he’s already received several calls on his first day and much discussion on social media, Singh plans on increasing his fleet and staff depending on demand in time for Strathmore’s Stampede and Heritage Days.
The Town of Strathmore also recently embarked in discussions with Langdon-based charter-company Coral’s Coach who proposed a transit service in Strathmore. According to the Town of Strathmore no new developments have occurred. Strathmore Taxi can be reached at 403-830-TAXI.