1980-10-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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336 Public hearing re': Taxicab rate increase Mr, Robert Sheets, Director of Finance, summarized his department's report regarding taxicab rate increases and deregulation of fares. He recommended to Council_.deregulation of the taxi industry in Charlottesville, Stating that the City does not have the resources to properly monitor individual cab drivers and owners. Because the regulations are difflicult to enforce and~there is no evidence that control keeps prices down, Mr. Sheets asserted that allowing free market principals to govern rates would result in an equitable price choice for cons~mers., He also recommended that the City initiate a study on alternative~transportation for the elderly, poor and handicapped whose needs may:not be well served by taxis. Mayor BuCk then .opened the public hearing~ Mr. Leery Clark, a cab owner and driver, stated that the cab drivers.are not making enough now to make a decent living or maintain their cars in good condition. He felt that other forms of public transportation like JAUNTshould be provided for ~hose unable to pay taxi rates. Mr, Brock Green of the Legal Aid Society asked for no more than a 10% increase in rates and opposed deregulation. He questioned in detail several conclusions of the report and pointed at that only 3 of 90 drivers actually submitted financial reports on which the study was based. He asserted that regulation was desirable as cabs are a public service in a senseand competition is not a proper way to ensure consumer protection in this instance. He .urged the City to more strictly enforce the'reporting requiremen~ts of the~present ordinance, Mr, Melvin Carter, a driver, aSked that rates not. be deregulated because he felt it wouldhurt the drivers financially, many of whom are making no more. than an average of minimum wage for the hours they work. Ms. Charlene Martin of 411 Gar~re~t Street spoke in favor of consumers who are elderly, poor or handicapped. She feels they have no transportation choise other than cabs and are at the mercy of the cab drivers as it is~, -She pointed out that JAUNT doesn't operate past regular businessL~ours and CitY buses are not equipped to handle wheelchairS. Mayor Buck closed the public hearing after the last speaker. Mr..Albro spoke in favor of~ deregulation, saying that the City had made a good faithattempt to regulate that appears unworkable. He felt the City can't insulate the' community from the effects of inflation although it should still license drivers and oversee safety regulations. He moved to deregulate the taxi industry, which was seconded by Dr, Hall.