Taxi Franchises

When Ginny's Taxi began operating here four years ago, drivers delivered pizzas between calls for taxi service. Four drivers took turns driving the lone taxi, a maroon station wagon, and owner Virginia Borja fielded customers' calls on her cellular telephone. Borja says she's still "hanging on by the skin of my teeth" trying to operate her fledgling taxi firm. That's why, when the city considered joining the Orange County Taxi Administration Program, Borja balked.

Three local taxi companies could face considerably higher fees in 1999 if the city approves a measure today to transfer licensing responsibilities to the county. Sheriff's Department officials in San Clemente are asking the City Council to consider joining the Orange County Transportation Authority Taxi Program, which aims to streamline services by offering one-stop licensing services. The county program also would take over cab inspections, background checks of drivers and drug testing.

In a slap at the Orange County Transportation Authority, the City Council has voted 3 to 2 to reject OCTA's proposal to be the city's taxicab-licensing agency. A council majority this week accused OCTA of being an unwieldy bureaucracy. "You talk about big government; the OCTA is big government," Councilman Walter K. Bowman said. "I like local control." Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones added that the proposal would have empowered the countywide agency to "create layers of employees."

An unusually bitter bidding war, marked by charges of political favoritism, has broken out between two firms vying for the taxi service contract at John Wayne Airport. The Airport Commission voted unanimously last month to recommend that the contract be awarded to the same cab company that has controlled airport taxi service for 22 years, even though its proposal would result in higher fares for passengers and less revenue for the airport than the competitor's bid would provide.

One of three taxicab companies that operate in the city was given permission to increase fares, but senior citizens, disabled people and students will get a 10% discount. The City Council on Monday approved the rate increase requested by Coast Yellow Cab Cooperative. Councilman Dave Garofalo said that while the cab company volunteered the rate discounts, he wanted the council to formally require them.