LAWRENCE — Taxis don't have the reputation for being the cleanest ride, but hop in the back of Freddy Abreu's cab and its spotless.
Abreu, 49, won top honors from police for have the cleanest, safest cab in the city. He's been picking up fares and driving them around Lawrence for 11 years. He said the work of keeping the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis clean and mechanically sound was not a sacrifice because it benefited his clients and himself.
"I keep my cab in excellent condition because I respect myself and I respect my clients," Abreu said.
Police Sgt. Melix Bonilla is the head of the department's hackney division. He got a call from one of the inspectors in October saying Abreu's cab was a must-see.
"I knew right away it was Freddy" who would win, Bonilla said.
In his letter to Abreu congratulating him on having the "Best Kept Cab for 2009," Bonill wrote, "According to our city mechanics, you presented a vehicle with an above average level of care. Mechanically your vehicle was the safest. It was also the cleanest and you showed a level or professionalism and courtesy that should be followed by all taxi cab drivers serving our city."
Abreu drives 12-hour shifts Monday through Saturday, and works fewer hours on Sundays, he said. Abreu said he drives 50 or 60 people every day, "on a good day, but the number sometimes varies."
When it comes time to clean, he said the items most left behind by customers are cell phones.
"I try to call their numbers to give their phones back," he said.
He said some customers have also left their wallets behind and he checked their drivers licenses to make sure the wallets were returned to their owners.
Yellow Cab dispatcher Joel Burgos, 30, explained the company transports a lot of children from their homes to school and back, and "a lot depends on the weather."
Burgos, a seven-year Yellow Cab veteran, said he started as a driver.
"Freddy is very good to work with," Burgos said.
Bonilla said Abreu is always respectful and willing to do the right thing.
"I wish all my drivers were like him," Bonilla said.
Police Chief John Romero said the city's taxi cabs have an important role in the city, providing transportation for city residents. He credited Bonilla with setting up the city's taxi inspection program and medallion system back in 1990.
"We had a lot of issues then," Romero said. "There are no issues now."
ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com.
