Nearly everyone has found themselves at some point struggling to get from Point A to Point B, and until recently, the service to solve that problem had not been readily available in the area. However, a new, family-run business is making its move in Ocean View, providing a courteous convenience.
Coastal Point • RYAN SAXTON
Suzanne and Michael Davis, along with son Brian Cooper, operate Ocean Breeze Taxi in Ocean View. The taxi service just began operating at the end of October.
Ocean Breeze Taxi Service, owned and operated by Michael and Suzanne Davis, and her son, Brian Cooper, out of their Ocean View home, aims to cater anyone’s need when it comes to getting around town.
“The whole thing started as a joke,” said Michael Davis, who has been working as a licensed painting contractor for 34 years. “We said I needed to do something that wasn’t as hard on my back.”
Cooper, who has been painting with Davis for the past 12 years, threw around the idea of driving buddies to and fro, until, one day, it just clicked.
“We realized that it would probably be a good idea to do something like that in the area,” said Davis. “Then we started checking into everything. There’s no real means of public transportation in this area of Sussex County.”
Suzanne Davis, whose father operated a taxi service while she was growing up, reflected upon her own children growing up without an accommodating transportation service.
“When we came to the area eight years ago from Ocean City,” she recalled, “it was difficult for my kids to get around. If they didn’t have a car, and needed to get somewhere, they had to call friends, or anyone they could.”
After 16 weeks of legal verification and certification, Ocean Breeze took to the streets at the end of October.
“We wanted to make sure everything was on the up and up,” Davis said. “We’re covered 100 percent.”
They have obtained all permits, applications, state business license, insurance on the business and vehicles, as well as attended a defensive driving course. The vehicles are registered with the state and the Department of Transportation.
“We went through this process as a family,” said Suzanne Davis, “and anyone who comes to work for us will have gone through it, too.”
Michael Davis plans to use the quieter winter hours to his advantage, before the comparative chaos of Memorial Day of 2008 is upon the area.
“Right now, we want to iron out all the bugs we may have, and we want to establish a clientele,” said Davis. “Once the summertime rolls around, tourists will realize we’re here and they’ll use the service, but we want the locals to appreciate what we do, too.”
Davis said they plan to work with anyone’s needs, not restricting themselves to the late-night bar-goers Ocean City so cabbies often serve.
“I don’t want to pinpoint anyone in particular,” he added. “I want to be there for everyone throughout Sussex County. I feel that it’s important to start up now and make a name for ourselves in the community.”
Flag rides — in which drivers can be waved down, street-side, by potential passengers — will be available from Fenwick Island, north through Bethany Beach, but the Ocean Breeze staff is fully prepared to drive to any area destination, from Ocean City to Rehoboth Beach and beyond.
From assistance with trips to grocery stores and other errands, to transportation to and from the beach, there’s no task that Davis and his crew will turn away. Service is even provided for travelers heading to more distant destinations, such as the Salisbury, Ocean City and Sussex County/Georgetown airports, as well as larger destinations, such as Philadelphia International, Baltimore-Washington International and Newark airports, and the Wilmington Amtrak station.
Rehoboth’s Tanger Outlets and the slots at Dover Downs and Harrington are also easy to accommodate for Ocean Breeze Taxi. Soon, Davis mentioned, he would like to start “shopping shuttles,” which will transport locals on a round trip to the outlets during the holiday season.
They are also currently working with grocery stores whose customer base includes call-in shoppers who call in their orders to the stores. A 20 percent discount is also available for senior citizens.
“This is something we want to provide to the seniors in the area,” said Suzanne Davis. “We want to be able to take them to the doctor, dentist and physical therapist. A lot of seniors need a ride to the pharmacy for their medication. They don’t want to have to drive, and sometimes, they can’t.”
Ocean Breeze Taxi has worked with and spoken to local townships and police chiefs to help administer the service through the area and provide convenience and safety to the public.
The staff hopes to provide accommodations for those who may not have access to regular modes of transportation, or simply don’t wish to drive in specific conditions.
“With some of the storms that come through this area,” said Brian Cooper, “a lot of people don’t want to be out on the road. Eventually, I’d like to have a van that’s handicapped-accessible.”
Currently, the service operates with two minivans (one of which is four-wheel-drive-equipped) that can accommodate up to seven people each. They also provide plenty of room for items in the back, be it shopping goods, luggage, packages or golf clubs.
“We’re looking to be there for everybody,’ said Michael Davis. “Golfers can give us a call, and we’re working with other groups, like the Red Hats.”
He explained that he plans to further increase staff and vehicles as soon as he can.
“We’re starting small,” he said, “but we’re going to grow with the community.”
The vans are also equipped with emergency connection to 911 though a silent alarm in serious circumstances.
“This is a family business,” Michael Davis added.
Cooper’s wife, Connie, also helps with the business, working dispatch.
“We’re not looking to hang around for a year or two. I’m looking at it in the long run. Sussex County is moving at leaps and bounds, and this is a service that is desperately needed in this area,” she said.
Rates for Ocean Breeze Taxi Service start at an initial fare of $3, with $1 for each additional person, and 20 cents for each tenth of a mile and 30 cents for each tenth of a mile of slow-moving, as well as time spent waiting.
Operations run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
Michael Davis said he already has a scheduled trip to drop off a passenger at BWI airport on Christmas morning. Hourly rentals are available at $45 with a four-hour minimum. Package deals and long distance rates are also available.
For more information, visit the Ocean Breeze Web site at www.oceanbreezetaxi.com, or to schedule a pick-up, call (302) 537-9830 or (866) OCEAN16.