Oxford taxi regulations under review


OXFORD TAXICAB COMPANIES

Taxicab companies operating in Oxford and their approximate number of vehicles:

Rockin' Tahoe Taxi: 1

Swerve 'Em Taxi: 1

523-TAXI: 2

Dodge'em Taxi: 2

Fast Taxi: 3

Green Cab Company: 3

Town Taxi: 3

Go Taxi: 4

Miami Taxi: 4

Oxford Taxi: 20

Source: City of Oxford

Taxicab drivers in Oxford could find themselves paying more for insurance coverage if the city decides to toughen its taxicab laws, which haven’t been updated in more than 50 years.

Oxford’s ordinance, last updated in 1961, requires cab drivers/companies to carry liability insurance of $12,500. By comparison, cities such as Hamilton, Middletown and Cincinnati require liability insurance of $100,000 per person for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence.

Oxford city officials said they are reviewing their ordinance and planning an updated version that could go into effect last this year or in early 2016.

“Back in 1961, Oxford was still a village, gas was 25 cents a gallon and a new car was $5,315,” G. Alan Kyger, Oxford’s economic development director, wrote in a letter to local cab drivers. “Much has changed over the past 54 years, yet our taxicab regulations have remained unchanged; it is time for a review and update of the current ordinance.”

Local cab drivers who spoke to the Journal-News said they aren’t worried about the possibility of stronger regulations and are prepared to pay any extra costs. There are about 10 cab companies currently registered with the city.

“I’m glad they’re doing it,” said James Buis, owner of Town Taxi. “Everybody should have the correct license and insurance.”

Aleesha Colwell, owner of Miami Taxi, which began operations in April, added: “I don’t think this is going to hurt us. We’ve looked into the commercial insurance, and we’ll have it in a month or two. We operate a pretty good business.”

Jimmy Ray, owner of Oxford Taxi, one of the city’s longest running cab companies at 7 years old, recently upgraded his insurance coverage after getting some advice from Butler County Sheriff’s deputies. The commercial insurance he now has is more comprehensive and expensive, he said, costing about $18,000 a year, or $1,400 a month.

“I’ve got commercial insurance that covers any (Miami University) student that gets in our vans,” he said. “All we’re trying to do is get everybody up to date with the insurance and what they’re supposed to have, and that means going to commercial insurance.”

Some cab drivers in the city accused Ray of trying to put them out of business by going to Oxford City Council and pushing for stronger regulations. Several of them turned out to a council meeting in September to complain about Ray, but may have shined a light on the city’s outdated ordinance instead.

Council members said Ray had never approached them about toughening the taxicab laws. And Ray, who also denied petitioning council, said those who complained against him are disgruntled, former employees who left him to start their own companies.

“The city of Oxford needs and wants taxicabs operating in the city of Oxford,” Kyger said. “The goal of this review is to make sure the taxicab patrons are provided safe conditions. Taxicabs play an important role in our community, from providing our citizens transportation to and from doctor’s appointments to providing late night partiers a safe ride home. This late night transportation has been especially beneficial in reducing drinking and driving and some of the late night vandalism associated with people walking home after leaving the Uptown bars.”

Kyger spoke to the Student Senate of Miami University’s Associated Student Government this week, where he heard various safety concerns from the students, according to Amy Berg, the media relations director for the ASG.

“We said we’d like to see background checks on the drivers, and to have their identification displayed. We’d also like to see markings with writing on the car,” Berg said.

Other suggestions included seat belts for each passenger and parking restrictions because the cabs sometimes clog streets.

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