By Mike Anderson

Tony Romans, the owner of Keswick Taxi, believes Canada doesn’t do enough to support its veterans.

So, on Monday, November 11, he’s offering free taxi rides to any veteran who wants to attend Remembrance Day services in Sutton or Keswick.

“We should give back to the veterans. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here today. What do we give them? Very little. They don’t get much of a pension. Some of them barely get to see their families. So, it’s not a loss that we do this one day out of the year.”

According to Romans, the free rides will be available for 24 hours, from 7 a.m. on November 11 to 7 a.m. on November 12.

“We can pick you up in Sutton or Keswick. You call, and we’ll come out,” he said. “We might be delayed a couple of minutes, but we will be there to pick you guys up and take you where you need to go.”

Romans adds that he will have one car parked at the Sutton Legion, which will be available for rides home after the service.

“After the ceremony, we can put more than one in the vehicle, and we can drop them off at their destinations,” Romans said. “It will be almost like a bus to drop them off at their door.”

Romans, who owns taxi licenses in Keswick and Uxbridge, received unanimous approval from Georgina Town Council on October 30 for an amendment to the Town’s taxi bylaw allowing him to provide free rides.

Romans admits the gesture is an experiment, and if it works out, he will do it again next year, possibly expanding the service to Pefferlaw and to services held on November 10 and 11.

He hopes people will not take advantage of the free rides, as drivers will not ask riders for proof they served.

“I can’t prove they’re a veteran or not. We have to try it out and see how it goes. We know they’re going to be older as vets. But I’m hoping that people can be honest. But it is what it is, and we’ll still ride them. If they’re over 65, we won’t say no,” he said.

Romans has allocated two taxis to shuttle Veterans to the Sutton and Keswick cenotaphs. So, he encourages veterans or their caregivers to call early to book rides.

While Romans says he is not providing mobility taxis equipped with a lift, one taxi is an SUV that can store a wheelchair.

Keswick Taxi will also provide a key in hand or designated driver service on Remembrance Day.

“If you go to the Legion, have a few drinks, and need your vehicle brought back home, just let us know. I’ll have two drivers there. One driver will drive your vehicle back home, and we will bring you back home in our taxi,” Romans said.

For more information or to reserve a ride, call Keswick Taxi Service at (437) 477-8294.

Mike Anderson
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