Two popular Banbridge taxi firms that have loyally ferried their community from ‘A to B’ over many decades have bid a very fond fare-well!
Q Cabs – headquartered on Scarva Street – and Bann Taxis made their respective announcements of their takeover via social media, signalling their final trips under their management.
Q Cabs explained: “We’re proud to announce that Q Cabs has now been taken over by fonaCAB, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
“For 29 years, Q Cabs has been more than just a taxi company. It has been part of the community, and none of it would have been possible without the amazing people who have been part of the journey.
“A huge thank you to all our drivers, past and present, for the countless hours, miles and conversations that helped make Q Cabs the company it became. Your hard work and dedication have been at the heart of everything we achieved.
“To our office staff, past and present — thank you for keeping everything moving behind the scenes, often under immense pressure, and for the commitment you showed to Q Cabs over the years.
“And finally, to our customers — thank you.
“Thank you for choosing Q Cabs, for your loyalty, your support, your stories, and for allowing us to be part of your lives for the past 29 years. From early morning airport runs to late-night journeys home, we’ve been privileged to serve you.
“While it’s difficult to say goodbye to the Q Cabs name, we’re pleased that the service will continue under fonaCAB.
“We would like to wish fonaCAB and everyone involved in the new chapter the very best of luck for the future. We hope they continue to provide a great service to our customers and the community for many years to come.”
Bann Taxis, meanwhile, has also passed the reins to fonaCAB and also thanked their loyal customers for their support.
The firm, posting on social media on Tuesday, said: “Today marks the end of an era as Bann Taxis closes its doors after decades of serving the people of Banbridge and the surrounding areas.
“We would like to sincerely thank all our customers, past and present, for their continued support and custom over the years. It has been a privilege to serve the local community and to have been part of so many journeys, occasions and memories.
“A special thank you must also go to all our staff and drivers, past and present, for their hard work, dedication and commitment over the years. Bann Taxis would not have been what it was without them.
“While Bann Taxis comes to an end today, we are pleased to announce that fonaCAB will be taking over the service, with the same familiar drivers continuing to serve customers under the new company.
“Although the name is changing, the people you know will still be behind the wheel.
“Thank you, Banbridge and the surrounding communities, for your incredible support over the decades.
“Jim, Joseph and Paul.”
Belfast-based fonaCAB is a family-run business that began back in 1962 when Sidney McCausland bought his first 15 black Fairway (FX4) taxis.
The fleet was constantly expanding and not before long, they had hundreds of taxis on the roads of the capital city.
Of Sidney, their website reads: “A man who always loved his cars, his passion must have been in his blood. William, his son, got involved in the business during the 1980s and is the company’s CEO today and now looks after a fleet of over 1200 cars and drivers.
“Through the decades, fonaCAB has evolved to embrace new technology and new business models. The first to install data heads, a fully automated booking system, text back services and now the new easy to use App, fonaCAB continues to innovate and lead the way in delivering an exceptional taxi service.
“Times change and technologies evolve, but one core principle remains constant – the desire to always be there for the people of Northern Ireland, whatever their day holds in store.”
