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ABC News World Headlines
Bowling Green Yellow Cab Shuts Down Save Email Print
Posted: 7:32 PM Jul 28, 2008
Last Updated: 12:53 PM Jul 29, 2008
Reporter: Daniel Kemp
Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com

A | A | A

Bowling Green is the fourth most populated city in the state.

Now those residents are without a cab company.

Owners of Yellow Cab closed its doors at 5:30a.m. July 26th, and even handed some drivers their final paycheck.

Now everyone that's been a part of the cab service is trying to figure out what to do next.

"We were in a pinch to begin with and this broke the camel's back," said Joe Boyd, co-owner of Yellow Cab in Bowling Green.

Boyd and his family bought the Yellow Cab Company three years ago, and now their business that served so many is finished.

"It's because of increased costs and some changes that's been made since July 1st. We just couldn't hold it together," he said.

Boyd says gas prices and insurance costs, and one major change he can't comment on caused his company to go bankrupt, putting some 70 drivers out of work.

"I've got to find another job, even though I really enjoyed driving the cab. I've got to find a whole new job and start all over again," said George Churchwell, a driver with Yellow Cab.

Churchwell was just one of many Yellow Cab drivers in line at the unemployment office today, looking for some kind of new start.

"Just basically anything to get me through the day, and get me through the rest of this thing," Churchwell said.

"A lot of our drivers have been here for quite a few years, and that's all that a lot of our drivers know is the taxi business," Boyd added.

Just like Boyd and the rest of his family, who aren't sure what to do next.

"We have no idea. Taxi cabs are what my family's been in. I have no idea," he said.

But even though he's scared and nervous for the future, he's also apologetic to the community.

"When we bought the company, we bought it to try to help Bowling Green--and we've failed Bowling Green," Boyd said.

Boyd says they are no immediate plans for another cab service in Bowling Green that he knows of.

Yellow Cab is now in the hands of a bank, but Boyd says he hopes someone will step up and purchase the company and put some good people back to work.

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Posted by: Brandi Location: bg on Aug 12, 2008 at 08:41 PM
if you have interest in buyin call ciztens first bank... i thnk they can help you..

Posted by: Michael on Aug 11, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I have an interest in purchasing the company and re-opening. Does anyone have a contact for me?

Posted by: waiting Location: warren county on Aug 5, 2008 at 08:39 AM
where are you grits we are still waiting for the ride being late every day is getting old

Posted by: pauline Location: alvaton on Aug 4, 2008 at 07:40 AM
excuse me , to somebody, i had my mother picked up for 2 yrs and i never 1 time found them to be rude. or nasty. 1) you needed to put your name, instead of trash talking, 2) that's what the problems are in world, is someone trash talking people, and hiding behind a no name like somebody (with no name) . Until you have walked a mile in someones shoes, don't judge them.I deal with this stuff everyday, and I am sure you do not. God Bless You, and may he help you to help others.I was taught if you do not have a dog in the race, then lay on the porch in the shade. Have a good day. I will pray for you.

Posted by: a lady Location: bg on Aug 4, 2008 at 07:27 AM
BG business owner, if u know so much, u needed to buy it with all ur money.ur the professional. next: someone, if you have to say stuff, like u did, and i thought your momma taught u better, if u can't say something good, then sometomes it pays to keep ur mouth shut. you are just trash talking, whats a matter, wouldn't they give u a job or ride? You know what: the moto is, "IF YOUR TALKING BEHIND MY BACK, THAT MEANS YOUR 2 STEPS BEHIND ME" so that is how people think. if you thought it was not run right, y didn't u pick up the phone and call the state or city and voice your concern. nuff said

Posted by: Ann on Aug 1, 2008 at 06:14 PM
This community needs a solution. There is probably no way to know how many people choose not to drink and drive and opt for a cab. The consequnces of no cab service may turn deadly.

Posted by: Brandon Location: P on Jul 31, 2008 at 06:01 PM
This is just ridiculous. I agree that DUI's will probably double, because people DO have too much to drink sometimes, and who will they call now??? NO ONE!!! Forget about the "Minor League" baseball stadium!! Give us transportation, or give us DUI's!!!!

Posted by: An Adult Location: BG on Jul 31, 2008 at 04:34 PM
If everyone will read past newspaper articles (several months ago), Yellow Cab's owner stated that they were having problems staying in business and paying their bills. This has been a problem for them for a very long time. It seems to me ( and others I have spoken to), that everyone needs to place blame where it needs to be placed. And that is with Royal Coach Yellow Cab. No one else!

Posted by: Someone Location: Warren County on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:23 AM
1-888-941-7433 call for help its been a nightmare or a big joke

Posted by: MEDICADE FRAUD Location: bg on Jul 31, 2008 at 08:41 AM
HOW CAN A GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAVE A STATE CONTRACT AND PROVIDE THERE TRANSPORTION THAT THE STATE IS PAYING FOR OR OUR TAX DOLLARS?

Posted by: CONCERNED Location: BG on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Grits should have stayed in Owensboro, we didnt need them in this town. They don't provide a taxi service for the public they take care of the handicap and so far are doing a very bad job. Yellow Cab was much better. Everyone has been late to be picked up and late brought home since GRITS has taken over medicaid.

Posted by: BG business owner Location: BG on Jul 31, 2008 at 12:26 AM
For one, this is not about all drivers but most.. everytime i see the cabs they have there friends in the car and are always drving around wasting gas.. and why did yellow cab buy thosse old police cars..(why did bg police get rid of them? they look fine) why did yellow cab spend so much? Poor management and not knowing how to run a business. Let a proffesional run it for u! If you cant do it

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Anonymous on Jul 30, 2008 at 06:42 PM
With all the construction going on I think that Mayor Walker could help get Yellow Cab back up and running. There has been people there since its been open and now what they have worked hard for is gone. As a kid I remember my dad working there just to help make ends meet. With them being open will help keep jobs for these people and them off welfare. So, Why not help them?

Posted by: Somebody Location: BG on Jul 29, 2008 at 10:30 PM
It is about time that Yellow Cab shut its doors! 1- They are nasty 2- They are not dependable 3- They are rude. I have lived in BG my whole life and I would never let even my dog ride in their cabs! This shut down has been coming for a long time so dont blame their problems on someone else!

Posted by: Brandi Location: bg on Jul 29, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Sam and Pauline thnks 4 standin up 4 us.... Plz anyone havin problems contact the state.

Posted by: SABRINA Location: PALMER on Jul 29, 2008 at 08:10 PM
It's a shame that a much needed means of transportation is now obsolute. The money that has been spent on Circus Square, the Minor League Baseball Park the beautification of the downtown area could have been designated to the Yellow Cab Company. The CART SYSTEM is limited to the ares it travels on a daily basis. There are many people in our community who need the Yellow Cab to be in existence. This is their only means of transportation. Let's take the residence of CAKY, for example. What about the people who work out side the city limits, at many of the factories. And there are many other's who have depended on the cab system for years. Yes we want to attract more tourist, but we should also want the tourist and our citizens to be able to get around. We have a mayor and city manager who have said they care about the citizens. Now is the time when we want to see them do something about the transit system here in BG Warren County KY. SPALMER KY FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 29, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Sam im so glad u and Pauline are takin yellow cabs side. everyone knws thats the truth. I knw we had problems but everything seemd to work out until now. im going to miss everyone that workd there. maybe sumone will step in and give us our jobs back.

Posted by: Agirl Location: still sitting on a fence on Jul 29, 2008 at 04:32 PM
a man, I highly recomend puncuation. To Clarify excatly what I mean. I just wanted to point out that we have not heard the side of grits. Not to mention in the article it sounds like the cab company was on it last legs to begin with, and I seriouly doubt 26 days would have hurt the cab co. if it was a profitable.

Posted by: a man Location: not a fence rider on Jul 29, 2008 at 02:19 PM
if you dont have any thing to say a girl like you have just shown keep it to your self

Posted by: Agirl Location: siting on a fence on Jul 29, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Notice there is only one side to this story?

Posted by: wolfman Location: bowling green on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:18 AM
How about, NOW, the city step up, and subsidize, smomething the people REALLY needs?Here is a good place, instead of projects like the baseball, basketball or the transpark scam?

Posted by: Pauline Location: Alvaton on Jul 29, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Oh, I see Sam posted. Well, my mother is in bad shape, and I will tell you, If your mother was treated as good as Yellow cab drivers (Sam) (Larry) as my mother was, you'd be proud and stand behind them 100%. The drivers @ yellow cab treated my mom like she was gold, and I am proud of them. She has not seen that treatment from Grits. Remember give all the state's number for problems, 1-888-941-7433. Pass it on, like the old saying, telephone, telegraph, tell a woman.I am sure someone will step up and help the cab service, as we are not a poor city in the hill (like eastern Ky) so help em

Posted by: Sam Rose Location: Bowling Green on Jul 29, 2008 at 08:46 AM
i worked for yellow cab company and liked my job i knew they were having some problems with the high cost of gas like we all are but what i saw was when july 1st was here and the new company that moved into town called grits my calls were cut in half they came to town and had a meeting with yellow cab and stated they were not here to take anybodys job but that is exactly what they did now they cant even pick up people at there pickup times or bring them home if anyone else is having any problems contact # to complain with the state 1-888-941-7433

Posted by: Eric Location: Bowling Green on Jul 29, 2008 at 08:45 AM
This is no shock to me. This company went chapter 13 in 2001, then changed hands. The next owner sold out to the current owner in 2003. If it was a money making buisness, would this have happened? I stongly oppose our tax dollars being spent on a "bus for drunks". We spend plenty on the BG police department, let them offer some transportaion for these poor drunks.

Posted by: BS Location: BG on Jul 29, 2008 at 07:27 AM
This is ridiculous! A city the size of Bowling Green not being able to support one cab company. The city needs to step up and start some type of transportation service. How is someone supposed to get home if they have too much to drink? The DUI rate will double. People can’t be responsible if they want to be.

Posted by: Brandi Location: Bowling Green on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:34 PM
This job is goin to be greatly missed.

Posted by: 20-something Location: BG on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:32 PM
This is terrible! I hope they find a way to be back in business soon.

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