Richie Colbeth poses for a photo with his taxi Nov. 9.

Experienced in the taxi driving industry, Richie Colbeth has always wanted to own his own business.

A perfect storm of proper finance, enough time and his wife’s grudging approval have allowed him to make that goal a reality.

Colbeth said business at John Day Taxi is going great, and people are glad to have a taxi service in the area. He is offering rides to Canyon City, Mt. Vernon, Prairie City and John Day and is getting as many as 10 customers a day.

He charges $2 for a round trip anywhere in John Day, $3 in Canyon City, $5.50 to Mt. Vernon and $7.50 to Prairie City. He is typically available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

He said he has been approached by customers wanting rides as far as Idaho and Bend but has declined because he’s more interested with providing a local service.

“I’m here for the people of John Day,” Colbeth said.

He also said he would make himself available for late-night emergency pickups if the need arises.

He said he has been printing business cards, magnetic labels and even advertising via mail.

Colbeth said startup expenses cost him a small fortune. He said he has been approached by others who had wanted to start a taxi business, but the various legal expenses and insurance costs made it impossible.

Colbeth said he wanted to work as a driver for the People Mover, but after being denied employment, he decided to start his own taxi business.

He has plenty of stories from his past days driving cabs. He said he once picked up four soldiers from a bar near Fort Dix, New Jersey, and drove them back to their barracks. The soldier riding shotgun made a run for it when they got close. Colbeth gave chase with tire iron in hand, and while he wasn’t able to catch the first soldier, the other three were. They slammed the run-away to the ground and made him pay for all their rides, plus a tip, Colbeth said.

Another time, Colbeth said he was driving in Phoenix, Arizona, and picked up an NBA player named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Over 7 feet tall, he spent the entire ride to the airport with his knees in the back of Colbeth’s head. Abdul-Jabbar gave him a quarter, an autograph and a story to tell for the rest of his life, Colbeth said.

He said one time he picked a rough-looking man in New Jersey who asked Colbeth to take him where the women were. Colbeth drove to the YWCA. Unamused, the man pulled a gun. Colbeth was not only able to talk the man down, but got his $2.50 cab fare as well.

To get a ride, call Colbeth at 541-620-4255.