A Senate bill proposing to establish an alternative, free taxi license has lost the support of Sen. Anne Golden.
Golden had signed on as co-sponsor to Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole’s proposal to create a new Class B license. The aim of the license was to legitimize "gypsy" taxis that operate outside the rules and regulations of the V.I. Taxicab Commission.
Taxicab Commission drivers have to purchase medallions and meet requirements to operate their vehicles. Golden said an alternative license would undermine the medallion system.
She said she concluded that there has not been sufficient analysis of the potential impact of the bill on the taxi industry; and so, she requested that her name be removed as co-sponsor. She also said legislation already exists that aims to correct the gypsy cab problem.
"We do not need legislation to correct a problem that is already illegal under current regulations," she said. "What we need is enforcement from the Taxi Commission."
Gypsy cabs operate unlicensed but aren’t as picky about their fares as many medallioned taxi drivers. Golden said that if the Taxicab Commission enforced its regulations, no person could be denied service by licensed taxis.
Cole said he understood Golden’s position. Since the bill is still in the Government Operations Committee, with a hearing scheduled for Friday on St. Thomas, he said, it still can be altered. The idea for a two-tiered system came out of public hearings after people in the community complained about taxi service.
"I’m happy to see the taxi situation is highlighted," Cole said. Regarding his bill, he added, "If there is no support, there’s no support."
Golden said a Class B license would undermine the value of taxi medallions. "Why would a medallion holder continue to pay the required fee when under the Class B taxi there is no fee?" she asked.
Meanwhile, Cole said taxi regulations are either going to be enforced or not. "This highlighted the problem in the taxi industry," he said. "In the final analysis, what we want is compliance and service to the community."
