"Free-Ride Randy" Believes He Can Provide a Needed Service

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - Last night, the Ironwood City Commission approved a taxi cab license application from Randy Kashieh of Ramsay, Michigan. At the meeting "Free-Ride Randy" as Kashieh is commonly known described the need for a second cab service in Ironwood.

Back on March 10, 2008, the Commission approved a license to Mr. Wesley Acton. According to Kashieh, Acton has already closed his business - the U.P. Cab Company. According to Kashieh, Acton will not be opened this summer, and it is unlikely that he will reopen anytime this fall. Kashieh told the Chronicle that vandalism towards his taxi van had a lot to do with him closing. Kashieh says that someone had painted over his vinyl lettering and had done other damage as well.

"Free-Ride Randy" gained notariety earlier this year when complaints began to surface at the Ironwood Public Safety that Kashieh's "free rides" weren't exactly free. According to Daily Globe reports, Kashieh was setting the price for their "donations." Kashieh denies those allegations, and he told the Chronicle that he gave out many rides (mostly to college students) for free.

Kashieh was originally from Detroit. He moved up to Watersmeet in 1978 with his mother. He moved back to Detroit for a time; met his ex-wife; moved to Bruce Crossing and opened an adult foster care facility there through the Copper Country Mental Health. Randy did construction work for Angelo Lupino for several years.

What made Randy go into the taxi business?

In 2006, Kashieh's then four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Dandy-Walker Variant Malformation which is a congenital condition involving the cerebellum and the fourth ventricle of the brain. Through the "No Child Left Behind Act" Early Childhood Developmental Delay Program she has been receiving therapy four times a week since she was a year and a half old. Her neurologist is located in Detroit. Initially the Karshieh's were told that their daughter would never walk, talk or function on a normal level. Randy is pleased to say that she has surprised many of those that gave the early prognosis. "She's walking, jumping, talking -- she's really starting to talk now -- I mean she is really doing well!" Kashieh was pleased to announce.

In December, Kashieh began working at Weathershield in Park Falls. He was making $10.00/hour and spending 3 hours a day driving and putting $150.00/week in the gas tank.

Randy's aunt and uncle live in Detroit. Whenever he'd pass through, he'd visit his aunt and uncle. They owned a van that was in excellent condition. He told them that he would be interested in buying the van whenever they were ready to get rid of it.  On a regular check up trip Randy and his daughter took, his aunt and uncle gave him the van.

With his high tavel expenses and mediocre wages, Randy decided that he needed to somehow suppliment his income. He wondered if giving free rides and accepting donations for the rides was illegal. He checked with several area law enforcement agencies, and he was told that providing free rides and accepting donations was not illegal.

So, this winter "Free-Ride Randy" went into the "Rides-for-Donations" business. He said, even though many of his rides were completely free, many people were very generous, and the money was pretty good. He said that many of the local hotels and motels were very receptive to his service. He said many of the area inns were not to thrilled with their only other taxi option. Kashieh brought up the fact that two drivers for the existing cab company are on the Michigan Registered Offenders list.

"How does the State of Michigan allow a registered sex offender to operate a taxi cab?" Hashieh wondered, "How do we protect our children?"

Hashieh has many plans to make his company successful. He has many unique ideas, and he realizes that doing things in a different way is the key to success. "You know how people always say there is no such thing as a free lunch?" Randy questioned, "Well, with me, there is a way! Ride with me six times and I will be giving out a gift certificate for a free meal."

He is also considering a free sixth ride after you've paid for five. He is kicking around the idea of Paulding light tours in the summer, as well a rides to fishing locations for tourists. He said "We have to start doing better for our local people, they don't have money here! We are so economically depressed!"

The Chronicle will do a follow up report once Randy's new business is officially launched.

Jim Albert