By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca
Georgetown’s transportation options are set for a major blow as E-Z Taxi prepares to wind down its operations.
The Georgetown-based cab company announced on April 27 that it will officially close at the end of June, a move that will leave Georgetown with only one remaining operational taxi provider, G’town Taxi.
The Town of Halton Hills also confirmed the announcement in a Facebook post, stating the taxi company will be closing on June 30.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Arshad Muhammad of E-Z Taxi described the closure as a difficult decision, citing “circumstances beyond our control.”
According to a town report, set to be presented at council’s May 11 meeting, the company specifically pointed to rising operational costs, including fuel and insurance expenses, as the primary drivers behind the closure.
The departure of E-Z Taxi is expected to create a significant gap in the town’s specialized transit programs. Specifically, the closure affects the Taxi Scrip and Youth Taxi Scrip programs, which offer discounted fares for registered ActiVan members and residents aged 13 to 24.
According to the report, town staff recommend expanding the town’s ActiVan service to absorb the trips previously handled by private taxis as an interim solution until a long-term solution is developed for the 2027 budget.
Proposed changes include expanding ActiVan service to operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, hiring additional staff to manage higher trip volumes and replacing an aging vehicle in its fleet.
The long-term financial implications outlined in the report include an estimated annual operating cost of $255,647 starting in 2027, along with a $250,000 capital request to replace the aging vehicle being used in the interim.
Alexandra Fuller, the town’s director of communications, said the town “will continue to communicate publicly on whatever is decided.”
For now, the town is encouraging residents with immediate concerns to reach out to ActiVan at 905-702-6435.
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