ATLANTA — Taxi drivers in Atlanta are again expressing concern over potential changes to regulations that could impact their industry, as city council members prepare to discuss new ordinances related to taxi cabs.
Atlanta Transportation Committee is scheduled to convene Wednesday at 10 a.m. to address proposed changes affecting taxi services within the city.
According to drivers, the proposed measures stand to significantly alter regulations governing both taxi cabs and rideshare services at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
And this isn't the first time drivers have spoken up and flooded a council meeting. During previous discussions on the matter, taxi drivers voiced their discontent with the ordinance, which they believe could lead to what they describe as the deregulation of their industry.
"They are trying to make us like Uber," one taxi driver said.
The proposed ordinance would eliminate several requirements, including the need for a traditional taxi meter, an overhead top light and signage, and the mandate for all taxicabs of a company to be painted the same color. It would also repeal the requirement for vehicle inspection as a prerequisite for a permit to operate at the airport.
Taxi drivers expressed concerns that removing such regulations could potentially lead to safety and security issues, including robberies and overcharging.
"When you remove some of those things like the top light like they are proposing here now, anybody can just come to the airport and pretend to be a taxi, and then there'll be more robberies, there'll be stealing, there will be overcharging, and we don't want that," Tony Ligbere, a taxi driver said.
However, proponents of the changes argue that the proposed modifications are necessary for modernization and to support full-service companies and the airport.
"Nothing changes anything they have to do at the airport. This ordinance is to modernize and help full-service companies and the airport," Rick Hewatt, the president of Checkered Cab, said.
It remains to be seen whether the ordinance will be voted out of the committee for a full City Council vote or if it will be tabled once again.