RACINE - After going without cab service for years, Racine has a growing stable of taxis.

Racine Yellow Cab added another vehicle within the past couple of weeks and Metro Taxi of Racine could begin business early next month.

Yellow Cab's new vehicle is a six-passenger van, said Sheikh Umar of Racine, who leases the business from previous operator Abdul Hafiz. The van provides more room to store luggage for customers who want to get to the airport or connect with the airport bus, Umar said. He handles the day shift and a second driver works from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

Meanwhile, Mount Pleasant resident James Ragland plans to begin Metro Taxi of Racine with one car and build from there. Ragland said he would initially be the only driver.

The service will be based out of his home. Although he's still finalizing the details, he said he should be available beginning at 5 a.m., with hours extending until 2 or 3 a.m. if

necessary on most days.

"I don't think the night life here demands public transportation," Ragland said. "But, if they do, I'll be there for them."

Ragland, who is a Seventh-day Adventist, said the business would close for observance of the Sabbath between about 6 p.m. Fridays and 6 p.m. Saturdays. He said the rule would apply to any other drivers he hires.

The two operators disagreed on whether there's room for two cab companies in Racine. Umar said business has been up and down as it is, hindered by competition from unauthorized taxi drivers.

"We can buy more cars if we have more business," he said.

Ragland said since moving to the area a couple of years ago, he has sensed a demand for quicker public transit than the buses provide.

"I don't think I have any aspirations of getting rich off this," he said. "I'm not a greedy person."

For information on Yellow Cab, call (262) 634-2222. For information on Metro Taxi, call (262) 634-6028.