MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
TAXICAB COMMISSION OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
JULY 2, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Peter Bowden, Mr. James Brooks, Mr. David Cassell, Mr. Robert Kidd, Ms.
Diane Quick and Lt. Julius Ross.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. James E. Nash
VISITORS: Patriot Cab Co. Owner Mr. Robert Lee, City Cab Chairman Mr. John
Golden, Yellow Cab Owner Mr. Joe Bowman, A-Cab Owner Mr. Michael Peak.
A meeting of the Taxicab Commission was held in the Ground Floor Conference
Room of the Government Center. Chairman David Cassell noted that a quorum was
present and called the July 2, 2008 meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes:
Chairman David Cassell immediately called attention to the April 2, 2008
minutes. Mr. Peter Bowden made a motion for acceptance of the minutes,
seconded by Mr. Robert Kidd and approved unanimously by those members present
for this meeting.
Old Business
A) Raising Of The Rates:
Chairman Cassell opened the meeting by introducing Mr. Peter Bowden. He said
Mr. Bowden is a new member to our Commission and he represents the CCVB.
Chairman Cassell also pointed out there were guests present and asked that they
introduce themselves. At that time those persons stood and introduced
themselves as follows: Mr. Robert Lee owner of Patriot Cab Co., Mr. John
Golden Chairman of City Cab Co., Mr. Joe Bowman owner of Yellow Cab Co. and Mr.
Michael Peak owner of A-Cab Co.
Chairman Cassell said there was a Committee established to observe the rates of
other cities. He said he, Lt. Ross and Mr. James Brooks met and asked would
there be any discussion. He said Mr. Brooks created a petition to see if there
was any interest in increasing the rates. He said we have what appears to be,
a list of signatures of individuals who are in favor of a rate increase.
Mr. Brooks said as a committee, we discussed the current cab rates and realized
that there was nothing in the ordinance that authorizes the Commission to look
at changing the cab rates. He said it came into question if there was any
interest in the public?s eyes about the cost of gas and its effect on taxicab
rates. He said the petition was formed to show that there is interest in
changing the rates; therefore the Commission would be able to go before City
Council to ask that a study be performed.
Lt. Ross said the issue is being discussed because the price of gas is going
up. He said based on the petition, there are people in the cab industry that
say there is a need for a rate increase. He said the only persons that are not
being heard from are the citizens. He said that is what the Commission and
Council are really here for. He said we would like to see businesses in this
area prosper and do well in Columbus, but we want to provide a service for the
citizens, who quite often are not able to afford the price of gas or their own
car. He said as we discuss this he would like for it to be in the back of
everyone?s mind that the citizens are not being represented. He also said
there are still cabs out there that are not charging the maximum rate.
Mr. Bowden said other customers that are not represented are the visitors from
other states, cities, towns ect. He said whether they are visiting for
purpose, business or pleasure, they need to be able to afford transportation
once they reach the City of Columbus. Mr. Bowden then asked why is it that
there are companies that are not charging the maximum rate.
Lt. Ross said in way of answering from the Commission?s point of view, he was
involved in a work session with City Council concerning the prices and fares.
He said it was not a discussion to increase the rate at that time but a
discussion about the rates that are posted on the doors. He said the City has
an ordinance that says the maximum rate could be used. He said some companies
elect not to have the maximum rate on the side of their doors; they advertise
the lower price to get more business. He said those cab companies are able to
charge the lower price presumably because they have an increased demand for
that lower price. He said during the work session no City Council member
wanted to sponsor a change from the maximum rate being posted on the door.
Ms. Quick asked what was the result of the committee meeting. Lt. Ross said
when we had our committee meeting our concerns were finding out if there was a
sufficient interest by owners. He said the owners are the only ones we really
needed to talk with and if we have the interest from the owners to raise the
maximum rate we would then talk about raising the rates. He said from the
looks of the petition that was submitted there are only two company owners
listed and the rest are drivers.
Chairman Cassell said the ordinance sets up the Commission and the Commission
is suppose to establish rates. He said the question is what prompts the
Commission to look at rates. He said we would have to be directed by City
Council to consider a rate increase.
Mr. Kidd asked if the Commission is in charge of the rates or does the
Commission make a recommendation to Council. Chairman Cassell said the
Commission could only make a recommendation.
Mr. Kidd said he understand that gas prices are going through the roof and he
does not see how it wouldn?t be something that would be up for consideration
given the state of the economy and gas prices. He said the cab drivers have
got to be hurting. He said yes we are here to protect the citizenry, but part
of protecting the citizenry is making sure the cab drivers are making a fair
living.
Lt. Ross said there are four owners present today. He asked if those four
owners could let the Commission know if they are in favor of raising the cab
fares or not.
Chairman Cassell said if the Commission has no objection those owners could be
heard. There was no objection from the Commissioners.
At this time Lt. Ross asked each cab company owner who was present if they
would like a rate increase.
Mr. Joe Bowman said he did not feel it should be an issue until every cab
company begins to use the maximum rate.
Mr. Michael Peak said he did not feel that there should be an increase. He
said he agrees with Mr. Bowman that if the cab companies are not using the
maximum rate it should not be an issue. He said the persons that ride in his
cab couldn?t afford for the rates to go up.
Mr. John Golden said he agrees with Mr. Peak. He said the customers that we
serve could not afford a rate increase. He said what keeps their rates low is
the volume of business that they generate from having the low rates. He then
said he is not in favor of a rate increase.
Mr. Robert Lee said he does not think that there should be a rate increase. He
said the people are already paying enough.
Chairman Cassell said this is a business and the business people have said that
there is not a need for a rate increase. He said we should close the issue.
At that time, Ms. Diane Quick made a single motion to close the issue regarding
the raising of taxicab rates. Seconded by Mr. Robert Kidd and carried by a
vote of 4 to 1 with Mr. Robert Kidd, Ms. Diane Quick, Lt. J. F. Ross, and Mr.
Peter Bowden voting yes and Mr. James Brooks voting no.
Taxicab Public Agenda Request:
Mr. John Golden
Mr. John Golden said he is here representing the citizens of Columbus and also
the visitors that come into Columbus, GA. He said the persons who are on the
list requesting a rate increase are the cab companies that work Ft. Benning.
He said those companies charge any where from $36 to $42 to go from the main
post out to the strip mall in North Columbus. He said as a rule, there is a
minimum of five people in a taxicab and those five people split the fare. He
said our passengers are one or two people. He said traditionally when cabs
fares go up you lose thirty percent of your business. He said as owners we
can?t afford to lose thirty percent of our business.
Mr. Robert Lee
Mr. Robert Lee said the City of Columbus allows twenty year old taxis on the
road to deliver service to people. He said every other city in this state has
limitations on the age of the taxicabs. He said there should be a seven-year
limit on taxicabs. He said we should have safe cars for our customers and
tourists.
Lt. Ross assured Mr. Lee that the issue was being addressed. He said Mr. Lee?s
opinion would be noted.
Meeting adjourned @ 4:00 p.m.
________________________________
Tameka J. Colbert
Recording Secretary
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