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17 <br /> <br /> remaining unanswered, such as how much revenue will the proposed <br /> fare increase generate? will the increased revenues be applied to <br /> meet some of the problems regarding the taxi service? is the need <br /> for increased fares due to uncontrollable economic pressures or to <br /> inefficient business practices? and is the public being asked to <br /> subsidize a loosing proposition? He stated there are other <br /> considerations such as? this a clear hardship on a significant portion <br /> of the public, if the fare increase is granted, and the requested <br /> increases far exceed President Carter's wage and price guidelines. <br /> <br /> Mr. Albro asked Mr. Beskin if he k~ew if the president's wage <br /> <br /> and price guidelines applied to this situation. <br /> Mr. Beskin answered that he did not know. <br /> <br /> Mr. J. T. Graves owner of the Yellow Cab Company addressed the <br />CounCil in support of the increase. He stated that the price of <br />gasoline, parts and labor have all increased. He stated that he was <br />ashamed of the taxi cab service in Charlottesville, but that drivers <br />were just impossible to obtain. He stated that he had not been able <br />to afford a new car for taxi service since 1968. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gatewood asked Mr, Graves if the company lost money in 1978 <br /> <br />and Mr. Graves stated that he had lost money for the past three years. <br />Mr. Gatewood asked Mr. Graves if he thought the taxi cab companies <br />could remain in business at the present =ate. Mr. Graves answered <br />that if~ within ~90?,days he did non see improvements under the new <br />rate he would have to close his business. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Clara Pace one of the owners of Pace's Taxi addressed the <br />Council and stated that her company is having the same problems that <br />Mr. Graves has, that she does not know how much longer they can <br />operate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Zenzell asked if the increase is granted what do the taxi <br />companies expect to do to give better service and Mr. Graves answered <br />that he does not think it will help one bit because he can not get <br />sufficient drivers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Albro stated he thought it would be useful if the staff will <br />look at some of the questions raised by Mr. Beskin, since this would be <br />a very substantial increase and would have an impact on the users of <br />the service. He stated that this is not a one year increase, but it <br />would have to be divided by the number of years since the last increase. <br /> <br /> Mrs. O'Brien stated she agreed with Mr. Albro that some very valid <br />questions had been raised and she w0.uld like some specifics on the use <br />of the aniticipated increase. <br /> <br /> The City Manager stated that Mr. Beskin raised a lot of questions <br />much of which the staff is not in a position to get unless the Council <br />wishes to authorize the expenditure of funds to require the cab companies <br />to expend additional funds. He stated that staff needs some guidance <br />on the information which the Council wants. He also stated the staff <br />is not in a position to study the efficiency of the cab companies. <br /> <br /> The Mayor requested the members of Council to give Mr. Hendrix <br /> <br />the kinds of questions they wish answered. The Mayor ordered the <br /> <br />public hearing continued for f~irther information. <br /> <br /> <br />