Cab company focused on disabled denied certificate

By Richard N. Velotta

Thursday, May 13, 2010 | 2:57 p.m.

The Nevada Transportation Authority has affirmed the decision of the Nevada Taxicab Authority that effectively denies a company that planned to start a taxi business transporting customers with disabilities from getting an operating certificate.

The three-member Transportation Authority voted unanimously today to uphold an April 2009 vote of the Taxicab Authority granting summary judgment against HandiCab LLC, which had sought an operating certificate in Clark County.

Several would-be competitors of HandiCab that currently provide taxi service filed motions against the company, saying it had not proved that a need for the service exists.

Among 16 cab companies operating in Clark County there are 62 medallions designated for specially equipped vehicles that can transport people in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities.

After hearing nearly an hour of testimony from lawyers representing HandiCab, the Taxicab Authority and the opposing taxi companies, the Transportation Authority voted unanimously against HandiCab’s position.

“The record doesn’t substantiate that it was a clearly erroneous decision (by the Taxicab Authority to grant summary judgment),” Transportation Authority Chairman Andy Mackay said.

HandiCab attorney Robert Martin said after the meeting that the company is considering an appeal of the ruling in Clark County District Court.

The Taxicab Authority heard arguments on the motion for summary judgment on April 7, 2009, after filing for an operating certificate in June 2007. The Taxicab Authority had set an application hearing date for April 23 and 24, 2009, but seven would-be competitors filed the motion for summary judgment. Other competitors and two union groups joined the complaint.

At issue in the HandiCab application was that the company sought 40 permanent unrestricted medallions to operate, not designating them specifically for use by special-needs customers. Martin said it would not be economically feasible to focus exclusively on disabled customers and the 40 unrestricted medallions would have little impact on the rest of the industry, which has thousands of unrestricted medallions.

The Taxicab Authority voted 3-0 with two members absent for the motion based on HandiCab failing to prove the need for 40 unrestricted medallions.

The Transportation Authority hears appeals on matters brought to the Taxicab Authority.

HandiCab developed a comprehensive business plan including basing its specially equipped cabs in various parts of the city to improve pickup and delivery service in various residential neighborhoods. Martin said he had received numerous complaints from people with disabilities that said they couldn’t get a cab to pick them up before their medical appointments and after they arrived late, would have to wait hours to get a ride home.