(ERIE. P.A. - WICU/WSEE/CW) –Drivers made their way into the yard at Erie Yellow Cab on Thursday afternoon, but, little did they know, it could be for the last time

Posted on the outside gate, was a sign announcing the business was pausing their operation, after the sudden death of its owner, Mark McEnery.

"This is wrong on so many levels." said Keith Bowser

 

Bowser spent the last eight years as a cab driver, he says, drivers were aware of McEnery’s death last week. But the news, came as a surprise.

“They couldn't have come to us days ago and said hey, we're going to be closing down shop at the end of the week." he said
 

And, he says to now be possibly out of a job, is a tough pill to swallow. Especially, as he continues treatment for kidney cancer.

"It's been a bad, five or six years for me, and this just makes it even worse." said Bowser

Even as the gates remain locked, Bowser says,  the story for drivers has not been closed yet, as they still have a lot to fight for.

He says drivers are now owed their retention pay, a so-called "insurance" which drivers paid into.

"Square up with us, you know you owe us the money." said Bowser

And with the city now without its long-term cab service, Bowser says, it will put some customers at a disadvantage. Even with transportation like the EMTA buses, or ride-sharing like Uber and Lyft, he says some people relied on the cabs to get to appointments or the store.

"It's bad man, it's bad." Bowser said


Online, several commenters shared their surprise, and backed what Bowser had to say. Opinions were split between support for cabs, and a push for ride-sharing.

 

We exchanged emails with the company for further comment, and a rep said, the statement posted outside, was all they were going to add.

 

But we also asked you if you would use another cab company should one re-open here in here in Erie, and in a Facebook poll, 79 percent said “no”, while 21 percent voted “yes.”

 

 
User: Erie News Now To: link

 

 

 

 

 

 

(EARLIER)

 

Erie Yellow Cab is closing effective immediately, according to a notice addressed to its drivers Thursday.

It said the closure is due to the recent death of its owner and operator.

The notice also said:

"As you can understand, this has been a very difficult decision. We appreciate your service to the company and to the Erie community, and we are sincerely sorry that we can no longer continue to operate. We ask for your full cooperation.

Thank you again for your service to the Erie community."

 

Erie Yellow Cab, which also operates as Erie Transportation Services, said it has been proudly serving the Erie community since 1988.

Its headquarters are located at 129 E. 26 St. in the City of Erie.