Zero’s Cab Company, a cornerstone private car service in the Throggs Neck area, sold its property on East Tremont and Lafayette avenues and merged its operations with its sister outfit, Crosby Cabs, a half mile away.
Crosby Cabs is on 1733 Edison Avenue and Westchester Avenue in Pelham Bay.
The new Zero’s-Crosby consortium has also ushered a new ownership era that is dedicated to give the company a ‘facelift,’ starting with an entirely new fleet of cars.
“We’ve bought a large number of 2015 Nissan Altima’s for our service. Other cab companies lease cars, but we’ve invested in our business and customers,” said Frank Bellezza, one of the company’s most experienced dispatchers.
“With changes in TLC laws, consolidating the business was the smartest option,” he added.
The new cars are being temporarily stored on Zero’s former parking lot.
The new Zero’s-Crosby ownership transition team believes its recent purchase of cars will bolster its commitment to quality service .
“This company has been part of the east Bronx since 1975, and we plan to still serve all of our customers with the same, excellent service,” Bellezza said.
Bellezza recounted the cab company’s community involvement over its many years in business.
“There have been times that we helped the police find lost people. The community has known us and trusted us,” said Bellezza.
The new team is confident that the company’s relationship with the community will propel the business forward.
“You don’t know who’s car you’re getting into with other companies. Our customers know our drivers and have trusted them over the years. Safety is our priority,” said Bellezza.
Zero’s-Crosby also works along side United Cerebral Palsy for all of its transportation needs. The company plans to acquire more medical contracts in the upcoming months.
The new owners expressed eagerness to continue working closely with all of the Bronx communities it serves.
“We take our customers anywhere, from Montauk to Atlantic City. If you want to go there we will take you as long as we also pick you up,” said the dispatcher.
He recalled one customer that was driven to the Catskills each summer by Zero’s.
According to Bobby Jaen, president of the Throgs Neck Merchants Association, the new owner of Zero’s East Tremont property is John Zheng, who also owns Quality Chef, a Chinese food restaurant located across the street.
Jaen said Zheng plans to contruct a 3,000 square foot laundromat in the current building, offering officers on the second floor and will build several 1,000 square foot stores on the vacant parking lot portion of the property.
The smaller stores have not been pre-rented, but Jaen said they will be leased to upstanding individuals and be in good taste.
