Don't drink and ride: taxi monopoly.

• Author: Mangu-Ward, Katherine
• Position: Citings - Brief article

AFTER Jonathon Schoenakase's friend was killed by a drunk driver, he decided to do something about the boozers on the road in his hometown of Quincy, Illinois. In 2008 he launched a service called Courtesy Rides, which offers lifts home to bargoers and other revelers, free of charge.

It turned out that Quincy was well stocked with semi-responsible drunks, and "business" boomed. Schoenakase added another car to the service and eventually a bus, funding his efforts with donations.

He was doing so well giving away free rides that the local taxi companies started to get nervous, despite the fact that Schoenakase caters to a very specific clientele. (Taxis in Quincy aren't allowed to operate after midnight, while...