by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Jacksonville’s job market recently received a boost from a local businessman who decided to get back into the business he retired from 10 years ago.
Grady Braddock founded Gator City Taxi in 1983 and sold the business in 1999 so he could retire. But, after 10 years of the retired life, he has caught enough fish and completed enough projects at his 13,000-square-foot home on Broward Road on the City’s Northside.
“I figured it was time to get back into something,” said Braddock from his office on 3.5 acres on the Northside. “The funny thing is that the company I started will be my main competition now.”
Lately, there hasn’t been much to laugh about when people look at the economy and Braddock had pause when asked why he chose to start a business now.
“I was a little apprehensive about starting back up in this economy,” he said. “It has affected everybody, all walks of life, but I have seen a slight increase in the economy over the last six months. And the cab business tends to pick up when the economy slows down.”
Checker Cab has provided an increase of its own. It currently employs 46 people, between drivers and support staff, in its third week of operations. The company has a fleet of 30 vehicles on the road – 16 Chevrolet Impalas and 14 Chevrolet Uplanders – with eight more in the shop being converted for service.
“Chevrolet is a workhorse,” said Braddock. “We’ll probably get two years maintenance free out of these vehicles.”
The company purchases slightly used vehicles from rental fleets, and though the vehicles are with the drivers 24 hours-a-day, they are required to stop at the headquarters on the Northside for cleaning and mechanical checkup every day. The Impala can accommodate four passengers and a driver while the Uplander, a mini-van, can seat six passengers and the driver.
Checker Cab strives to provide a safe and efficient environment for its drivers and passengers. The company has eliminated radio communication in favor of a computerized dispatch and navigational system. It has contracted with Mobile Knowledge, a Canadian-based company, for its “state-of-the-art” taxi dispatch system. Each vehicle is equipped with a computer monitor that both displays and announces directions to the driver with the assistance of GPS. The computer system also helps drivers to process credit card transactions within seconds.
The dispatch system can also help drivers if they experience any trouble. Each vehicle is equipped with a panic button and the dispatcher can see where the driver is and how long they have been at a location on a monitor at the company’s headquarters.
“It was one of the most expensive purchases in starting up the business,” said Braddock, who reported his investment at $900,000 to get the business started. “But it will be worth it if we can provide a more efficient staff and good experience for our customers.”
Checker Cab will serve Duval County and surrounding areas, and it can schedule prearranged drop-offs and pick-ups for trips to Jacksonville International Airport and the Beaches.
Mayor John Peyton was pleased to have the veteran return to the Jacksonville cab industry.
“Grady has a long and successful track record in this business,” said Peyton. “I have no doubt he will be successful again.”
Braddock expects business to pick up as well. His plans are to expand the fleet to 150-175 vehicles by the end of 2010 and he has set a goal of surpassing the 400 drivers and 150 employees that worked for Gator City Taxi by the time he sold it. He started Gator City Taxi with six cabs in 1983.
“In three weeks we have employed 46 people and we have a waiting list of 50-60 people who want to be drivers that have worked with me before,” said Braddock. “We are doing our part to stimulate the economy.”
356-2466