Värtön Taxi traces its roots back to the inception of the first taxis in Oulu. The founder’s maternal uncle, Iikka Peninkangas, was already a horse-drawn carriage driver before cars made their way into the streets of Oulu. When taxi services with automobiles were introduced, Iikka was among the first to join, choosing the number 16 for his taxi, which had been the number of his carriage. Taxi 16 started operating from Erottaja and their base was in front of Oulu’s finest establishment, Seurahuone, which is now the City Hall.

Taxi 16 became the first taxi of Värtön Taxi’s founder, although he acquired it through his own experience as a taxi driver rather than as a family inheritance.

The founder of the company has a solid background in the taxi industry, not only through personal experience but also through family connections. In fact, the founder’s first ride home as a little boy born at Tuiran maternity hospital was in his grandfather’s Pobeda taxi. His father also worked as a taxi driver in the past. The family has had a total of eight taxi entrepreneurs, so the taxi business has been passed down through generations.

However, the reason for being in the taxi industry is not solely based on family ties but rather the desire to work with people and provide them with taxi services, ensuring they can safely and comfortably reach their desired destinations.

Currently, Värtön Taxi operates five vehicles, including one normal taxi and four minivan taxi that allows for stretcher and wheelchair taxi services as well as transportation for up to eight passengers. This reflects the company’s strategy of staying in line with the changing times and its constant effort to adapt to societal changes. This has been recognized by the growing number of loyal customers who continue to rely on their services.