April 24, 2017

Meet Allen Stewart of Blackfoot Taxi in Atlanta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Stewart.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Driving has been a part of my life since I can remember, beginning with me assisting my Dad on his used car lot back in the 80s. In the 90s, I went into the Army where they taught me to speak electricity. (I learned and worked as an electronics repairer. M.O.S. 33T.) That took me into defense contracting, where I worked for Raytheon for a few years.

Skip ahead to 2009, I made some mistakes, and had just come out of prison after 10 years. Moms moved down here during my stint so I came to Clayton County. This was during the great recession, and jobs were scarce, so I decided to go back to school. I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta – Decatur, where I majored in Media Arts and Animation. My grants and stuff ran out in 2011, and I had to drop out without completing my degree. But by then the job market was loosening, and I managed to get a job parking cars as a Valet attendant.

I was inspired to do my own thing when I was fired by Parking Management Services for enforcing their rules. I had been promoted to Supervisor and one of the guys was chronically late for work. I spoke to him, spoke to him, and finally wrote him up. He wanted to fight then. I am from Philly, and had been boxing for a long time as a hobby…but that kind of stuff scares white people. Nevertheless, he stayed and I was removed from my position.

Uber was just coming along in Atlanta by then. Luckily, I had applied with them and was approved by the time I got canned at the Valet job. This is where I learned to drive a taxi. They have a great training program for people who are new to the game. I sharpened my skills there, and in the very same year formed my L.L.C. and got licensed as a proper taxi in Clayton County.

There was a lack of competition when I began in 2014. Public transportation was non-existent. It had been cut off in 2010, making taxis one of the only ways to move around the area. Times were good. Then the law changed in 2016, and the State took over the taxi industry. For the first time, taxis could pick up state-wide (with exceptions). Competition sprang up overnight: Atlanta taxis have now invaded our service area, besides the ride share platforms and indigenous taxis (company and independents) here.

Now we have to change the game. In order for me to remain competitive in this new world reality, Blackfoot Taxi will become Atlanta’s first all-electric taxi. The business plan is all there. I am shopping for a $10,000,000.00 grant to fund this project.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I do not know one successful business that has had a smooth road. It has not been smooth. This past winter was particularly brutal, business was a struggle and I was unable to keep payments up on one of my vehicles. I am down to two now.

I am not only competing with other taxis now, but with the $50 billion dollar and $500 million-dollar ride-share platforms Uber and Lyft, respectfully. If everyone stuck to the script, it would be fine. But these guys have spawned an unknown number of rogue, gypsy taxis who operate under the table. The ride-sharers are specifically forbidden from picking up people outside of the app. But with rates so low, they have to make ends meet somehow. (The big two were in a price war here in Atlanta.)

This is all business. I cannot compete as it is. I will continue to scrape by if I cannot get financed. It is not set up for the small guy to be successful here. The laws changed so a taxi can pick up state-wide, but we still cannot pick up in Atlanta or at Hartsfield Jackson. It sucks. This is why I have to change. The business as it is, will not make it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Blackfoot Taxi – what should we know?
Any business I have will contain a sustainable aspect, and Blackfoot Taxi is no different. We are an environmentally responsible taxi company, using technology to reduce our emissions while still providing excellent customer service.

Everything sets us apart from the competition. We currently utilize the Toyota Prius for a fleet vehicle – these get over 50 miles a gallon. In the future, we will be using all electric cars and ridding ourselves of emissions altogether.

Service-wise, we are still ol’ school. The service is personal. We take calls and you speak to a person. A lot of our riders are repeat customers who like their drivers. And yes, you can still request a specific driver to pick you up.

Besides that, we look better doing it. The Prius is a fine car, and our taxi markings on it are designed to accentuate its beauty. If nothing else, one can recognize our brand from their identifier – the black rims they sport. Our cars are up-to-date with the latest metering equipment, and we have Wi-Fi.

Blackfoot is what a proper taxi looks like in the future.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our commitment to being sustainable is what differentiates us from the competition. That aspect affects all others in this model. It puts us at the forefront of the ‘Green’ movement – nobody in this segment of transportation is doing a zero-emissions business model. And while this is done for the environment and the earth, it is also for the price conscious consumer also. Once we get off fossil fuels, and begin to utilize renewables to provide our power generation for the vehicles, our prices will reflect that we are no longer involved in the world oil market.

And Blackfoot gives back. Right now, we give to churches, donate to the ASPCA and Lifeline Project regularly, and do what we can. In the future, we will be stepping it up further by sponsoring sustainable projects and larger scale endeavors that would further the ‘Green’ agenda in our communities.

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