After less than a month without taxi cab service, it appears Bowling Green will once again be "running on a meter".

The owner of "Franklin Taxi" in Simpson County has purchased the licenses and plans to re-start taxi service in Warren County.

Dan Spears outbid 12 other people at Tuesday's license auction to have the rights to run a cab service here in our viewing area.

Spears' taxi will provide rides to Bowling Green and Warren County residents, those in Simpson County, residents of Woodburn, and disabled citizens.

"I looked at it as a good business opportunity, Spears comments.

He's ready to revive the cab service in Bowling Green and neighboring areas.

"I think there's been a huge need for taxi service. I know we've been getting calls that unfortunately, we couldn't cover because of the specificness of the certificates, but we're looking forward to being back up there," Spears says.

The Franklin native already owns "Franklin Taxi" service and plans to expand the 7-car fleet to 15 to cover both Bowling Green and Simpson County.

The move could also give former "Yellow Cab" employees a chance to hit the road again.

"I'd like to try to re-hire as many of the "Yellow Cab" drivers that need positions," notes Spears.

With the exception of one large passenger van, Spears won't be using any of "Yellow Cab's" 40-plus vehicle fleet.

Instead... those cars and vans have been put on the auction block.

Most of the vehicles were only bought individually, but a few people bought them for their own cab services.

Louisville's "Ready Cab" owner Julie Hart heard about the "Yellow Cab" situation and decided to drive down to purchase some of the dormant taxis.

"We wound up buying 3 cars tonight. We're really surprised. We wound up getting some really nice equipment," Hart says.

Other equipment from the now-defunct "Yellow Cab" business were also sold to the highest bidder.

Spears is hoping the return of the cab service to Warren County will also help out businesses like "GRITS" which have been struggling to keep up with the large demand of passengers.

He expects to have a new legion of "Franklin Taxi" cabs circulating through town...

"As soon as the state will allow," Spears says with a smile.

Spears says he plans on working with the former owners of "Yellow Cab" to learn the Bowling Green market so his cab service can successfully serve our area.