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Council considers taxi ordinance

Posted on May 3, 2012May 2, 2012 by Susan Dickson

By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

CHAPEL HILL – Taking a cab ride around Chapel Hill could change somewhat if the Chapel Hill Town Council approves an ordinance regulating taxis in town.

The proposed ordinance, which the council considered at a meeting on Monday, stems from a petition submitted by former UNC Student Body President Mary Cooper last October, in which she suggested a flat-rate taxi program for Chapel Hill. In her petition, Cooper cited inconsistency in fare rates and public-safety concerns.

Under the proposed ordinance, the police department would add a taxicab-inspector position for enhanced monitoring and enforcement of taxis; pedi-cabs would be added as a regulated mode of transportation for hire; the town manager would be allowed to create taxi stands; and fares would be regulated.

In addition, applications for franchises would only be accepted once a year, with a requirement to reapply every three years, and franchises would be required to have more than one vehicle.

Police Chief Chris Blue said that last requirement was suggested because business owners with only one vehicle would be less likely to take it out of service over safety concerns than those with multiple vehicles.

Drivers would be required to apply for permits every two years and pass drug tests and background checks.

Beck Kasimov, who has been in the cab business in Chapel Hill for five years, said he felt that the inconsistency in fares stemmed from out-of-town cabs coming to Chapel Hill on busy nights.

“All these problems with prices don’t come from the local companies,” he said. “Most of our prices are consistent with each other.”

Kasimov said a flat rate was a good idea, but urged the council to keep in mind that lower rates would result in lower profits for cab companies, preventing them from updating their equipment as often as they might need to.

“The companies that charge very cheap prices, they don’t have a quality car,” he said.

Council member Jim Ward said he would like for the regulations to be less strict, adding that he felt franchises should be able to have just one vehicle and should be able to apply more than once a year.

“These are small businesses,” he said. “I think we need to minimize the regulations.”

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt said he felt the regulations could be narrowly targeted to address specific issues.

“Irrespective of where these cab owners are from, it is kind of just shocking how you don’t know what you’re getting when a cab pulls up,” he said.
The council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance on June 18.

1 thought on “Council considers taxi ordinance”

  1. Lesley Parr says:
    May 4, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Concerns for the Safety of UNC students and how much they pay for rides is changing the whole constitution of Taxi franchising and how it is governed in Chapel Hill. What’s wrong with the existing rules and why do they need to be changed ?
    As a Taxi Cab owner myself ( d/b/a Time To Go Taxi) I agree with everything Mr. Kasimov said especially the point about “out of town Taxis” coming in at rush hour and special events to rob us of our bussiness. I feel like the governing bodies of the Town of Chapel Hill should join together and help with governing Taxis that are not franchised by Chapel Hill Transit Authorithy. Who are these “invaders” picking up our citizens and children we are responsible for. Let’s take care of our own garden that we have planted. Then we can really call it “HomeGrown”. I really don’t think we have a shortage of taxi cabs or rules governing existing or future individuals who may want to start there own business.
    In return for agreeing on a fare rate system with UNC we have asked for certain privliges for special events. Thanks to E-Z Taxi we have been given special parking privliges in Erskine Bowl parking lot at the Basketball games. We are franchised by Chapel Hill Transit. Why can’t we use the bus routes for the football games. Not all spectators and Alumni choose to use public transportation. Some handicap or senior citizens may choose to use other transportation but can only get so close to the events because of restrictions. WHY ?
    WHY? When that question was brought up at both of the meetings sponsored by the Chapel Hill Police Department for Town of Chapel Hill Liscensed Taxi Companys they said they had no jurisdiction on UNC campus and campus events and we needed to speak with the UNC Security or Police Force. A UNC official was not present at either meeting. Why Not ?
    Iwant to thank WCHL 1360 AM for making public the meeting for the proposed odinance. I regret that my schedule would not let be be present for that very important date. I also want to thank the Town of Chapel Hill for making public the video of the meeting and all Town Meetings. Thank you Mr. Kasimov for speaking up for the other Taxi Franchisers. Thank you Mr. Ward for your concerns and representation. And last but not least Thank you to The Carrboro Citizen for a chance to voice my personal opinion.

    Lesley Parr
    There is nothing as sweet or satisfying as the rewards of our own labor. “HOMEGROWN” in Chapel Hill.

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