Owen Sound Taxi Woes Deepen as AM 2 PM Taxi & Delivery Shuts Down
Owen Sound’s limited transportation options have dwindled further with the closure of AM 2 PM Taxi & Delivery, a company that shut down following the sudden passing of its managing partner.

Owen Sound’s transportation challenges have deepened with the closure of AM 2 PM Taxi & Delivery, a local cab and delivery service that had been operating in the city for the past year.
The company announced its decision to shut down on January 29, citing the devastating loss of its managing partner, Jacob, who passed away unexpectedly on January 3 due to cardiac arrest.
The company first shared the news of Jacob’s passing on its Facebook page on January 4, expressing gratitude to its customers and encouraging community support for his grieving family. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Magesh Doraisamy and Jason Kuzhitharayil on behalf of Jacob’s family has since raised over $55,000 to help with funeral expenses, educational support for his three sons, and other financial needs.
Jacob was described as a kind and compassionate man, deeply involved in the Grey-Bruce community. He leaves behind his wife and three children, aged 9, 14, and 17. His sudden passing has not only left a void in the lives of his loved ones but has also led to the closure of the business he helped build.
In his announcement of the business closure, AM 2 PM’s remaining managing partner, Pradeep Mitra, thanked customers for their support over the past year and hinted at potential future business ventures.
When reached for comment, Mitra added, “I am personally sorry for any inconvenience caused to our loyal customers.” He said that he plans to “take a short break” and is evaluating his options for going out on his own.
A Short-Lived Solution to Owen Sound’s Taxi Crisis
AM 2 PM Taxi & Delivery launched in early 2024 in response to Owen Sound’s ongoing transportation struggles. The city has long suffered from unreliable taxi service, a problem that has been exacerbated by a lack of drivers, restrictive regulations imposed by the City, and the prohibition of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
In November 2023, an editorial in The Owen Sound Current highlighted the near-impossibility of securing a cab in town, with many residents reporting long wait times or complete unavailability.
The city’s taxi bylaw, last updated in 2020, has imposed strict fare regulations that some argue have made it financially unviable for companies to operate, leading to the decline of available service.
Businesses such as bars and restaurants are concerned about liability and the safety of their customers, who cannot secure safe rides home from city establishments. Workers report they are unable to fill roles due to the lack of transportation in Owen Sound.
We spoke with an east-side service provider, who requested anonymity, and has begun personally transporting elderly clients who have no other means of accessing care services. They, too, worry about the liability of transporting passengers but fear for their customers’ safety otherwise.
The Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce addressed many of these issues in an August 2023 letter to the Owen Sound Police Services Board, urging a review of taxi fare structures and licensing fees to make the industry more viable.
In September 2023, City Council endorsed a report to research ride-sharing options, but no timeline for action was set. A 2023 reader poll by The Owen Sound Current found that 84% of respondents supported legalizing ride-sharing.
But rather than taking action when the Chamber letter came to Council in November 2023, Council requested that the Owen Sound Police Services Board invite representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and representatives from taxi companies to attend an open session to clarify their concerns.
As we head into February 2025, no concrete action has resulted from the ongoing consultations and reports. Municipal leaders have been slow to act despite the increasingly urgent need for a modernized approach to local transit.
For now, Owen Sound residents are left with even fewer transportation choices and the resulting impacts on healthcare accessibility, small businesses, the job and real estate markets, tourism, community safety, and education.
As winter continues, many in Owen Sound will once again find themselves stranded—waiting not just for a taxi, but for Council’s leadership on persistent issues impeding quality of life within the city.
Related:
If the city can't provide transportation in the city, they shouldn't restrict it's availability through by-laws which only seem to help current providers and not the riders who need the service.