New cab service aims to fill transportation gap in Grand Bend and area

By Meg Pearson

Residents and visitors in Lambton Shores now have a new option for getting around, thanks to a locally built transportation service with a focus on reliability, community and connection.

Launched in mid-February, Dabs Cabs is a Grand Bend-based taxi and shuttle service founded by Robert Latta and his partner, Yasmine Kennedy, who have called the area home for the past three years.

The name Dabs Cabs also carries a personal story. “Dabs” has been Latta’s nickname since he was a teenager—a reference to his habit of greeting people with a fist bump rather than a handshake. The name itself was suggested by a friend, tying the nickname into a fitting acronym for the business, Downtown and Beach Shuttle. The idea for the business came about on a night when transportation was in particularly high demand.

“New Year’s Eve, I was scrolling my phone and there were six, seven, eight posts of people looking for rides,” said Latta. “And the response was always the same—there were no cabs available. That’s when I realized how real the need was.”

That same evening, Latta decided to step in, offering himself as a designated driver through a Facebook post. The response was immediate, and it was enough to spark the idea for a full-time service.

“A month and a half later, we were open,” he said.

While Grand Bend is known for its busy summer tourism season, Latta said the goal behind Dabs Cabs is to serve the community year-round, not just when it’s convenient.

“Too often, communities like ours are treated as seasonal markets,” he said. “Companies show up when it’s busy or profitable, but the people who live here year-round are left without reliable service. We wanted to build something that’s actually here when people need it.”

Since launching, the business has already begun to grow with a steady increase in calls for a wide range of services, from rides to work and medical appointments to airport transfers and special trips.

“It started with late-night rides and dinners, but now we’re getting calls all across the board,” said Latta. “Doctor’s appointments, grocery runs, people picking up vehicles, even airport shuttles. It’s really become something the whole community is using.”

The company currently operates multiple vehicles, with plans to scale up further as demand increases heading into the busy summer months. Even as seasonal traffic ramps up, Latta said local residents will remain the priority.

“We started early because we wanted to get to know the locals, the people who rely on us every day,” he said. “And that’s not going to change. We’re building this for the community first.”

Beyond transportation, both Latta and Kennedy emphasize that the business is rooted in supporting the broader Grand Bend area.

“The whole idea is about community,” said Latta. “If we’re not highlighting and supporting the businesses that support us, then what are we doing?”

Kennedy added that partnerships with local restaurants and businesses have already begun to take shape, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

“They want customers, and we want to bring them customers,” she said. “We promote each other, and it’s been really positive.”

The service also plays a role in promoting safer transportation options, particularly during late-night hours and the busy summer season.

“People want a safe way to get home,” Latta said. “If there’s no reliable option, that’s when people make risky decisions. We want to be there so they don’t have to.”

Dabs Cabs currently operates Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours expected during the summer season.

Rides can be booked by phone, through their website, or via an upcoming mobile app, which is expected to launch soon.

As the business continues to grow, Latta said the mission remains simple.

“Our focus is to show up on time, provide safe and courteous service, and be something people can count on,” he said. “We live here. We care about this community. And we’re here to stay.”