Viking taxi company invades Kitsap

Feb. 16--POULSBO -- Kitsap County might not have room for another taxi company.

That hasn't dissuaded Andrew Alexandre, a Poulsbo entrepreneur who rolled out Viking Cab Co. last month.

Yes, there are more than a dozen state-licensed cab operators in the area, on top of an untold number of unlicensed drivers taking advantage of a loosely-regulated industry. But Alexandre believes his company can use quality and consistency to stand out in what he calls an "industry in shambles."

"I'm pushing my way in, I know that," he said last week. "But I also know we provide an unrivaled customer experience."

Alexandre, who relocated to Kitsap two years ago from the East Coast, said he was surprised at the lack of professionalism shown by some cabbies when he arrived in the county. He saw drivers smoking in cars, drivers not getting out to greet passengers, drivers not helping with bags.

"I realized the industry wasn't quite up to par," he said.

After researching the business last summer, he laid the groundwork for Viking Cab last fall with a group of friends. They aimed to combine new technology with old-fashioned customer service.

"Our primary goal, other than on-time performance, would be to redefine the industry standard for small-town taxis," Alexandre said.

The company launched with three cars, all new Ford Fusion hybrids. Each is equipped with Wi-Fi-enabled tablets facing the rear seats, allowing customers to play music, check ferry schedules or peruse news headlines on the road.

Viking Cab covers Bremerton, Central Kitsap and North Kitsap, with plans to expand to Bainbridge Island down the road. Business has been brisk, Alexandre said. He hopes to serve about 600 passengers a week by summer and add more cars and drivers soon.

"We're growing a lot faster than we thought we would," he said.

The growth of Viking will inevitably cut into the business of established cab companies in an already-crowded field. At Bremerton-based HarborSide Taxi, manager Craig Burton has watched the rollout of Viking Cab with interest. He said it will take time for Viking to build a customer base, and he's confident his company offers a competitive service.

"We've got pretty solid customers that have been with us for a long time," Burton said.

Taxi operators are more likely to grouse at the abundance of unlicensed cabs on the street. Taxis operators are required to have a special state license, local business license and carry commercial insurance. Enforcement, however, is almost nonexistent. Recent complaints over fly-by-night cabbies have prompted Bremerton to consider cracking down.

Alexandre said the unregistered taxis are a burden on the industry and a safety issue for passengers who might not be protected when they ride in an underinsured taxi. Better enforcement and public education would help his new business and other legitimate companies succeed, he said.

"Once the industry is worked out to be properly regulated and enforced, it really comes down to the quality of your service," he said.

Viking Cab

Viking Cab Co., a Poulsbo-based transport service, launched last month. Dispatch can be reached at 360-244-4420.

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