Route J-1

By Keisha Gregerson, Wisconsin Dells Taxi (J-1 Transportation) Owner

Wisconsin Dells Taxi owner Keshia Gregerson and daughter Keylnn pose with the fleet of cabs.

Wisconsin Dells Taxi was built on the foundation and the local demand to provide international students transportation to and from work locally. There was not much of a source before we started nine years ago. As we began to grow as a company, I started to realize how important this program was to our community and the vital role it plays in the growth and success of our local tourism industry. This is when I really started to get involved. I’d like to think providing affordable transportation to these students has played a role in the growth and development of this program, but I could be biased!

As I started to reach out to employers, I began to gain communication with sponsors and eventually Wisconsin Dells Taxi joined the local J-1 Consortium. I have gained such a wealth of knowledge through this group, which has helped me set a standard of business and educate my staff as well. The consortium meets monthly and we discuss safety, issues, events and the overall well-being of our local population of J-1 students. This group of people is truly amazing. It is quite humbling, actually. In turn, I take this knowledge and integrate it into my business and our daily operations. I have such an amazing team that truly cares about the health and safety of these students. It almost feels like we take them under our wing while they are here with us, and we are always sad to watch them go. Those farewell trips to bus stations, airports and train depots are always full of tears, hugs, and “see you again.”

J-1 participants ready to go ice skating via Wisconsin Dells Taxi.

I was at the Greyhound Bus stop just a few weeks back, which is how a large number of students enter the area. They are almost always scared and lost and not very confident in their English when they first arrive. I always hang out there if time allocates and make sure they get to the correct place and are comfortable after a long few days of travel. I frequently throw them a free ride just to make their day, which often opens the gates of trust between them and us. When the bus arrived, a young female from the Philippines ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. She remembered me from the prior year and was happy to be back in Wisconsin Dells again. It’s moments like this that renew my passion for this niche industry. These moments make me realize I am doing something right.

J-1 students visit the Social Security Administration by taxi.

Word travelled fast and our efforts were instantly noticed. Wisconsin Dells Taxi started offering discounted transportation and shuttles to and from work, shopping and sightseeing. We also now take the majority of local students to the Social Security Administration to apply for social security numbers, which turns out is quite the process!

At the end of every day, my team and I have become better people and have gained a vast knowledge of diversity and culture from this program. We have created many friendships and mentored many young adults through this program. We would be happy to someday travel to see some of these smiling faces.

Categories: Program Spotlight