Lismore has a new taxi service to rival the long-established Lismore Taxis.

Northern Rivers Taxis launched in September 2024. The new driver-led organisation started with Country Cabs Ballina and Country Cabs Byron Bay.

December 2024 saw the first appearance of Country Cabs Lismore.

Driver and board member Mandeep Singh told the Lismore App Northern Rivers Taxis was born after a disagreement with the board of Lismore Taxis.

He wouldn't be drawn into the reasons behind the decision but did say the lack of cars on the road was an issue.

"We told them so many times, we need more cars, we need to increase our fleet. More taxi people are waiting hours and hours and people are waiting on the taxi ranks at night time."

The result of two local taxi companies is more cabs on the road and better service for the people of Lismore.

"We have more cars so people can get better service and picked up on time. They were waiting for up to an hour. I had a customer yesterday and picked her up in five minutes, and she said, oh, I used to wait 45 minutes."

With just one company, Lismore's taxi count was 25. The introduction of Country Cabs Lismore has seen that number increase to 31, that's six more cabs on the road servicing the people of Lismore.

There is no less experience, with five of the Country Cabs Lismore team having ten years of driving taxis or more.

Service isn't the only winner; more competition has led to lower prices.

"We are giving a 15 to 20% discount to all of our customers for most of the rides," Mandeep explained.

The Fare Fall, the price you pay to jump in a taxi, was $4.10. Country Cabs Lismore has reduced that to $2. So, if you are travelling a short distance, this will lead to a cheaper cab fare.

"We are cheaper than Uber. Uber's minimum price is $11. If you go on a short trip, they're going to charge you $11, but ours is more like $6, $7 or $8."

Country Cabs Lismore has ten (10) taxis now with another to join the team soon. This includes sedans and multi-taxis for large groups and disabled customers. They also have three hire cars.

"There's no taxi signs. If anybody wants to hire a private car for a trip to the Gold Coast or to go to the airport, we can do that too. We have a Range Rover, a Toyota Fortuner, and we have a Tesla."

If you want to buy a car and become a taxi driver, the entry point is now much lower. Mandeep explained Country Cabs Lismore is looking for partners to join them.

"If somebody wants to join us, they need to have a taxi license plate, which they can get for $200 and a car. That's it. They can join us and start driving with us as a partner."

"So, if you buy a $20,000 car, plus a $200 license, put a camera in it and stickers on the car, you can start driving after lessons. $25,000 to $27,000, and you can start your own taxi."

To find out more information about buying a taxi license through the NSW Point To Point Transport Commissioner, click here.

You can book a Country Cabs Lismore taxi by calling (02) 6625 2113 or check them out on Facebook.