This weeks Campus Celebrity spends his Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights safely chauffeuring UMaine partygoers to and from their destinations; all with a lollipop and a smile.
Introducing Brian Hastey, fondly known by most as “Captain A Cab.” Brian is the owner and driver of “A Cab,” a one-car taxi service that is a favorite in the UMaine community. If you have not already been lucky enough to experience everything A Cab has to offer, from the red velvet seats and music video screen, to the candy treats and epically regrettable candid Facebook photos, I recommend that you read on and give Brian a call if you have one-too-many this weekend.
“My favorite part of being a cab driver in Orono is interacting with the students,” Brian says, “You guys keep me young!” Brian got involved in cab driving years ago while working for another cab company. He decided that he would make more money being an owner/operator, and A Cab was born!
During my interview with the Captain, he let me in on a little exclusive- his new company motto is “A Cab, Everybody’s Favorite After Party,” and that is exactly what it is. Brian finds many ways to engage his student customers and keep the A Cab experience exciting. Every Halloween he holds a photo contest. Groups of students with the best costumes pose for a photo next to the cab, and Brian picks a few to be featured on his business cards. I am proud to say you can find my friends and me on one of the business cards from last year!
Brian also sells “A Cab Gear,” featuring a line of shirts, fleeces and bags with a logo that reads “Capt’n A Cab’s Crew.” He chooses one night a week to be “Crew Night” and anyone who wears their gear receives up to $5.00 off of their ride!
Captain A Cab is known for his ingenious techniques for catering to his customers’ needs. His newest addition to his famous music video screen in the front seat is the ability for each new customer to create a specific playlist to listen to when they are en route to a party. What could be better than spending your weekend nights sitting next to Captain A Cab and listening to your favorite songs?
Brian wants everyone to know that he tries his best to be fair when picking up students and answering his phone, but it isn’t always easy for him. If he gets too busy and shuts off his phone, give him fifteen minutes and try him again. He absolutely appreciates all the business, but if you decide to take an alternate ride, just give him a call and let him know so he can go straight to another customer.
Brian’s second favorite thing to do (his first favorite hobby is driving us around- how great is he?) is prospecting. He likes to pan rivers in Maine for gold, gemstones etc. The only place we want to see Brian, however, is behind the seat of that decked-out cab. He makes our nights even more special with his warm personality, cab-ride activities, and especially the ease of mind in knowing that he will safely transport us to our destinations. Captain A Cab loves us back too, “I guess A Cab is so special because I love my job and I love my customers.”
Call A Cab this weekend at 207-991-8335, and like it on Facebook!