St. Louis cab drivers protest regulations

ST. LOUIS -- Regulations requiring newer taxis and higher insurance coverage could force some independent cab operators out of business and leave some economically disadvantaged customers without their primary mode of transportation, taxi drivers said at a rally Monday.

About 30 independent drivers toted signs and told their stories outside the Metropolitan Taxi Commission building, protesting rules enacted by the new nine-member committee.

Under the newly-adopted Vehicle for Hire Code, all taxis in St. Louis and St. Louis County must be covered with at least $100,000 in liability insurance. By 2005, the regulations will phase out all taxis that are more than 9 years old.

The taxi drivers claim the new regulations will raise fares and drive away customers.

"This is going to force a lot of cab companies out of business," said Charles Cole, who has been driving a taxi since 1987.

Cole said the stricter requirements would also force drivers to raise fares, making taxis less affordable for some disabled, ill or older customers.

For example, the St. Louis Peregrine Society has an agreement with Yellow Cab Co. to transport cancer patients from their homes to hospitals for chemotherapy treatment. The society pays $250 each year in transportation costs for each patient. Increased cab fares could reduce the number of hospital visits a patient is able to make, said Laura McQuay with the society.

The Missouri Legislature and Gov. Bob Holden approved the commission last year. Mayor Francis Slay and St. Louis County Executive George "Buzz" Westfall appointed members in September and the commission has been active since June. Some cab drivers challenged the constitutionality of the commission, but a St. Louis circuit judge upheld it last week.

Some taxi drivers are upset that cab company owners, including representatives of the two largest cab companies in St. Louis, Laclede Cab and St. Louis County Cab, are on the commission.

Louis Hamilton, vice chairman of the commission, said the committee must have two representatives from companies with more than 100 licensed drivers and two representatives from companies with less than 100 drivers. James Harris of Harris Cab and Solomon Tadesse of Gateway Express Taxicab Co. provide the voice for smaller cab companies.

Hamilton said the rules were crafted after several meetings to allow the public -- including taxi drivers and company owners -- to offer suggestions. Another meeting is planned Friday and commissioners will consider modifying the law.

"It's not meant to be set in concrete," Hamilton said. "It's a living document."

The regulations also restrict usage of cellular phones, which allow customers to contact cab drivers, and require on-duty drivers to wear white shirts, black shoes and black slacks.

"As long as I'm neat and clean, what difference does it make?" said Mohammad Akram, an immigrant from Afghanistan who drives a taxi to support his three children.

Hamilton said the uniforms increase the confidence of the public in taxi drivers. He said all of the regulations are intended to encourage customer service and safety in the taxi industry.

------On the Net

Vehicle for Hire Code: www.co.st-louis.mo.us/pubworks/SubstituteBill3-14-03version.p df