A Twin Village Taxi waits by the the curb in downtown Damariscotta. (Photo courtesy Nancy Hatch)
A Damariscotta-based taxi service has quietly been under new management for the past year and a half.
Jessica Hoppe took over the ownership of Twin Village Taxi, a 24/7 reservation-based taxi service, from Phil Hatch. Hatch, who started the business in 2012, remains active in the business as a driver.
The news of the handoff was originally kept quiet so as not to alarm customers.
“We didn’t want anyone immediately thinking everything was going to change,” Hoppe said. “Most everything has stayed the same. There have just been a few adjustments.”
One of the adjustments is the introduction of a “more consistent” fee schedule for passengers, Hoppe said.
The rest of Twin Village Taxi’s business plan remains largely unchanged. The service still offers 24/7 pickup and drop-off with reservation. Customers call Twin Village Taxi to schedule a ride, which Hoppe then schedules with a driver. Calls are accepted from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fees are set at a flat rate based on the town a rider is traveling to. For example, a trip to Portland International Jetport from Damariscotta costs $100.
“We wanted to keep it as simple as possible for the customers and for the drivers,” Hoppe said. “There isn’t a meter running. You’ll know exactly how much the trip will cost.”
Twin Village Taxi currently has four cars and employs five drivers. Due to the limited numbers, Hoppe recommends making reservations as early as possible.
Twin Village Taxi also offers a private car service, where customers can rent a car and driver for $50 an hour.
Hoppe said there are many reasons customers use the taxi service, including convenience, reliability, and comfort.
“Rather than worrying about having to drive or finding a place to park, taking a taxi allows people to relax and enjoy themselves, knowing that they have a dependable ride,” Hoppe said.
Twin Village Taxi is currently in search of additional drivers to join the company. Anyone with 15 years of driving experience or more is encouraged to call Hoppe.
For more information about Twin Village Taxi, go to twinvillagetaxi.com, email twinvillagetaxi@yahoo.com, or call 380-0050.
