1980-11-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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35O maintenance regulations, manifests and expense records auditing by the City and discretion for the City Manager to reinstitute fare regulation if abuses occur) be incorporated into any drafted ordinance amendments. He also recommended that the deregulation be reviewed in one year's time to determine success or failure. Mr. Conover questioned the need for requiring drivers to keep manifests (lists~of riders and fees) and expense records. His feeling was that this would create an unreasonable hardship on drivers without any significant benefit to the City in assessing the situation in one year's time. Mr. Brock Green, an attorney with Legal Aid~,~ addressed Council in opposition to deregulation. He stated that the City's report showed significant rate increases following deregulation in other cities. If deregulation is to occur, he requested that (1) a 20% discount be given to elderly and handicapped riders, (2) price increases he attached to the Consumer Price Index or some other similar standard and (3) the City take measures to prevent price gouging, ensure consumer protection and ensure enforcement of the licensing and other regulations. He also asked that the telephone number of each cab company be added to the information on the door, that regulations apply to owners as we'll as dmivers, that rate signs should state "City limits only," that all drivers use the same rate unit for comparison purposes, that drivers be required to keep records for 5 years and/or use cumulative meters, and that the City Manager and/or Chief of Police prepare an easily readable and clear written explanation of the new regulations to the drivers so that they all understand what is required of them. A driver employed by Pacers Taxi spoke in opposition to the 20% discount for elderly and handicapped, stating that the drive~s could not afford to subsidize those unable to pay full fare. He also stated that socmuch information is proposed for the outside of the cabs that the lettering won't all fit. He reminded Council that most cab drivers also fit t~e low-income category themselves. Mr. Leevy Clark, an independent driver, pointed out that with two different rates (in town and outside City limits) it would be difficult to put this nn the door in a readable manner for consumers. Ms. Gleason suggested that an additional fee during severe weather~ be allowed to add incentive to drivers to operate their cabs at these times and thereby allow consumers with no other form of transportation a way of making necessary trips. Mr. Albro agreed with Mr. Conover's previous remarks about record keeping being a burden for the cab drivers. He suggested that the City leave the matter of discounts to the drivers and that the Consumer Price Index be used only as a comparative measure to evaluate the behavior of rates and fares after deregulation is instituted.