MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Hurters Cabs – End of an Era

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Recently MyPE received a note to please assist with the deletion of a listing – Hurters Cabs – on MyPE and BuyPE. I doubt that there is anyone in Port Elizabeth who cannot say that they are not aware of Hurters – Hurters was (and is still) a household name with many a family having an account with Dennis for those times that getting home in ones own car was not possible.

I recall that Hurters had a lovely advert demonstrating innovations such as two way radios.

Aghast and saddened at this news we asked Dennis Hurter to please let us know why.

Dennis replied thus:

As a 2nd generation taxi operator, it saddens me to witness the degeneration of the taxi industry over the last 15 years. The local Traffic Department recently being “branded as being dysfunctional” by the press could be correct and, together with failure of the Local Transportation Board to enforce all the transport regulations and the failure on the part of the Department of Manpower to enforce the Basic Conditions of Employment on the taxi industry, have all assisted the industry to degenerate to its current status.   Ordinary vehicles not complying with legislation are made to appear as legitimate metered taxis (without taximeters).  Owners fail to comply with any labour legislation.  Many taxi drivers continue to make up their own high fares without the use of a functional taximeter, thereby exploiting the passenger to “improve their take home pay”.

I have now reached retirement age &  feel the effects of “old age”. I  therefore see no future for myself in trying to continue to compete against unethical operators & drivers who both, more than likely, profit from their unethical practices. I have unsuccessfully tried to dispose of the business as a going concern, but due to the above situation, no-one wishes to operate a taxi business that legally employs their staff. With economic reasons being a factor as well, I had no alternative but to cease trading with effect from 30 November 2014, and to enter into other business endeavours that are less stressful.

Whist sorting out records, I looked at some financial entries in a ledger dating back to 1938 and a photograph, circa 1925, of my late father sitting on the running board of his vehicle parked outside the old Richardson Building in North Union Street. Sad that my late father’s legacy has to fade away, but “enough is enough”!

Kind regards

Dennis Hurter

Editor: Sad to see that service excellence is being kicked to the gutter in favour of cowboys, poachers and bullies! Good luck in your retirement Dennis.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.