ATLANTA — Taxi drivers once again packed a City of Atlanta meeting hoping to prevent the deregulation of their industry. The Atlanta City Council is considering legislation that would decrease many of the restrictions for taxis at the airport, but the large group said they believe it will hurt more than it helps.
“Do not pass this legislation as it is,” said one of the more than 100 taxi drivers who came to Wednesday’s Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee meeting. The group voiced concerns.
“We’re concerned about the legislation they're are about to past, which to us would be a game changer, it would change the industry as we know it and not in a positive way,” taxi driver Tony Ligbere said.
According to the legislation, the goal is to create a level playing field for taxis and rideshares by removing requirements. Among them is the traditional taxi meter, a dome light on the roof and no longer will all taxis have to be the same color.
While the proposal states it aims to remove the barriers of entry, taxi drivers 11Alive spoke to said they believe it does the opposite.
“We’ve always had the meters, we’ve always had the top light, we have always had our CPNC numbers, we have always had our cars checked, there trying to make us like Uber,” added taxi driver Vandyke Howard.
The drivers said the changes will allow anyone to call themselves a taxi, increase competition and possibly force them out of business. They also worry that without the traditional meter, there will be confusion about the cost.
However, Rick Hewatt, the president of Checkered Cab, who helped draft the legislation, said the changes are necessary.
“Nothing changes, anything they have to do anything different at the airport. This ordinance is to modernize and help full service companies and the airport by losing restrictions,” said Hewatt.
As for the council, they decided not to vote during the committee meeting.
“We’re going to hold this legislation and it won’t move and we’re going to stand with the taxi drivers, We’re going to hold a listening session to crackly talk to folks,” said council member Antonio Lewis.
City officials said they will meet with those taxi drivers in the coming weeks.