MOSES LAKE — While driving the streets of Moses Lake in a red Dodge Caravan, Shane Soares says he’s been told he has a New York accent.

But the similarities to a New York cabbie stop there.

Soares, a driver for the new company Freedom Taxi,  is actually from Alaska and also works as a personal trainer.

The company he drives a cab for, Freedom Taxi, opened this week and serves the Columbia Basin.

He’s had one customer so far, taking a client from the Moses Lake Clinic to Mae Valley.

Two other clients weren’t waiting when he came to pick them up, Soares recalled.

“If you call, we’re going to be there,” Soares said. “Definitely.”

Soares arrived on-time for his interview with the Columbia Basin Herald, chatted personably and drove safely during a brief ride through town.

Soares met the family operating the company through a friend.

So he decided to seize the opportunity to work for a new business.

Pat Becker, husband of Freedom Taxi owner Penny Becker, said the company’s goals are to provide clean, professional, safe and courteous service.

“We’ve felt that way and have always talked about it,” Pat said. “We’re kind of a new company with old-time values.”

He explained the company will load and unload suitcases and open and close doors for customers.

Background checks were performed on drivers and they’ve obtained special driving permits through the police department, he noted.

Drivers will take customers as far as they want to go, such as Seattle, Spokane and the Tri-Cities, Pat said.

The company’s vehicles are well-maintained and ready for winter with studded tires, he said.

The company also delivers a limited amount of groceries for hotel customers because the Beckers felt there was a need there.

The Beckers managed motels all over the state for about 23 years. They found people could only have pizzas delivered to their rooms and were limited in their meal choices.

The couple recently talked to local hotel owners and found the need for food delivery still existed, Pat said.

Sight-seeing excursions can also be accommodated, he said.

The company is prepared to grow as needed and plans to have a wheel chair assessable van and a limousine in the future, Pat explained. The van is expected to be operating by mid summer.

Penny Becker also owns Busy Bees House Cleaning company.

Pat Becker works in security at Moses Pointe.

Freedom Taxi’s rates are $2.40 for a one-time drop charge and $2 per mile.

For more information, call 509-431-7397.