For those needing a ride and not wanting to take the bus, there's a new cab in town willing to provide charitable services to the community.
Crossroads Taxi, located at 1224 S. Walnut, is a 24-hour taxi service that opened for business three weeks ago, and its clientele is expanding.
"We've seen the need for a second cab company," said Ella Keihn, dispatcher for Crossroads. "Muncie is plenty big enough for two businesses of the same nature."
What Crossroads does differently than other cab companies is charge customers based on distance to a destination rather than have a meter running. Fees generally run anywhere from $4 to $8 depending on where a person wants to go.
For example, a ride from Muncie to Fort Wayne would cost around $85.
Driver Jim Miller said charging this way is better for the customers because they don't have to pay extra if their ride is lengthened somehow, such as if the cab would be stopped at a train track.
Business has picked up, mostly because people are talking about the company, said Keihn.
Crossroads plans to service members of the Ball State community and even offer a student discount as long as a student ID is shown. The staff is still deciding whether to have a set amount for students or an amount taken off of the regular fair.
Another way Crossroads is thinking about servicing Ball State is to have a cab posted in the village on the weekends in case anyone needs a ride.
The company also gives rides from Muncie to other cities, but customers must let the drivers know a day in advance.
"We want to give back to the community," Keihn said. "They're paying our bills. The least we can do is give something back."
"We'll drive from state to state if they'll pay," said Keihn.
Crossroads also wants to help the city by arranging a deal with local bars to provide a free weekend shuttle service. Several bars in the area will be on a list and will pay a set amount for 36 hours in order for the cab company to give rides to those who would otherwise drive home.
This takes the responsibility off the bars because they are offering this service, and if someone drives home and gets in an accident, the bars won't be responsible, said Keihn.
This service is set to begin Sept. 6.
The company is also planning to conduct several food drives to help families who need food, said Misty Fox, a part-time cab driver.
Keihn said the company has a lot of elderly customers who would rather take a cab than wait for the bus. Keihn said this saves them time as well as not having to wait in the hot weather for a bus to arrive.
Miller said the Muncie Police Department has been working with the cab company well.
"If they call us and ask us to give someone a ride home, we try to get there as soon as possible," he said.
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