John will reach 50 years in the taxi industry next year, beginning his driving career in Sydney after his boss, who owned a hardware store and a cab, offered him some weekend work in 1968.

John says this is when he caught the bug and hasn’t been able to shake it since! “Driving a taxi is just in my blood; you never know where you might go, or who you might meet.” The sense of adventure and constant interaction with new people and regulars has always been and continues to be the attraction: “As long as they continue to renew my driving authority, I will keep at it – I’m not getting any younger, you know!”

With volumes of fond memories and funny stories to share, the first thought to mind is the personal relationships created and appreciation John receives from his regular passengers, many of whom rely solely on taxi transportation to connect them with their family, friends and the community.

John has had his fair share of mad dashes to the hospital with expectant mums and once collaborated with police in apprehending a passenger who was a wanted criminal, but notes a very distracting ride with No:96 TV star Abigail in the back seat as a career highlight!

While not full-time anymore, John fully intends to stay behind the wheel until next year, to commemorate the exciting 50 year milestone before his retirement.

John moved his family to Port Macquarie and has been an integral member of the Port Macquarie Taxis network since 1987 – clocking up 30 years of service as our second longest serving driver.

Originally written and published by https://issuu.com/focus.mag/docs/pmqi139/88

The journey has taken Rod from Mullumbimby to Sydney, then across NSW with his four children, and finally putting the brakes on in Port Macquarie. Rod has experienced an impressive variety of professions over the past 40 years – from Electrical Foreman to Business Analyst, to Facility Manager and business owner.

In 2014 he retired, resolving to ease off the accelerator and enjoy the view. According to Rod, the reason he became a taxi driver is simple: people.  “Retirement at an early age can have great rewards, but coming from an environment of people management, I wanted to keep up conversation with a diverse mix of people. There is a great cross-section of the public who travel in taxis, and all have an interesting story to tell,” he said.

Rod is passionate about his community. Over the years he has been involved in many organisations, including the Friends of the Players Theatre, the Scouts and the Rural Fire Brigade. Recently his local Masons & Friends group has partnered with students from CSU “Student Heart Project” and Rod’s employment provider Port Macquarie Taxis to install the first 24 hour Public Access Defibrillator in Port Macquarie. The unit is housed in a secure cabinet at the Horton Street Taxi Rank, and Port Taxis is proud of Rod’s involvement in securing this life-saving equipment.

This care and concern for others is appreciated by the locally owned and operated Port Taxis. A recent focus for the company has been the attainment of “Dementia Friendly Organisation” status, awarded by Alzheimer’s Australia.

The Port Macquarie electorate has been ranked as the third highest dementia prevalent area in NSW, and Port Taxis estimate 50 – 60% of the 2,500 passengers they pick up every day are elderly. The company also equips drivers with specialist training in first aid, special needs children, Returned Veterans, plus disabled and wheelchair care.

Behind the scenes there’s plenty of state-of-the-art technology and complex dispatch logistics helping Rod and his 75 colleagues get you to your destination. Bookings, which come in via phone, email, web, and the new “Australia Wide Taxi” App, are transmitted to on-board computers, complete with GPS navigation. Jobs are allocated to specific vehicle types as requested, including “eco-friendly” hybrids, Maxi Taxis and Wheelchair Accessible Taxis.

My Day

• 6:00am Up with the alarm, out of bed and into the shower.
• 7:30am Head off to the Taxi Base.
• 8:30am The most rewarding part of the morning – pick up a disabled student and transport him to school.
• 9:30am Airport jobs and more wheelchair passengers.
• 12:30pm Jobs are slowing up, so now is a good time to take a lunch break – off to Munster IGA for a chat and a flat white to go with my home made wraps.
• 2:30pm Time to take my “little mate” back home after school and a leisurely drive to Rawdon Island.
• 4:30pm Slim pickings in jobs now, but soon the planes will be arriving.
• 6:00pm The day’s work has finished – so many new faces with stories to tell.
• 7:00pm Home at last to spend the evening with Maureen, my wonderful partner.

Originally written and published by http://newmancommunications.com.au/ and http://portmacquarie.focusmag.com.au/