Taxi drivers have mixed reactions to new rules

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998 | 10:34 a.m.

The proposals by the Transportation Service Authority would impose stricter inspection requirements.

They address everything from age limits on cabs to the visibility of meters and use of two-way radios.

One of the biggest critics is Don Drake, president of Baker and Drake Inc., northern Nevada's largest taxi company including Yellow Cab in Reno.

The authority fined his company $10,000 earlier this week for operating with unapproved leases.

"Nothing, not one item in this proposal, will accomplish any goals in the overall assessment of perceived problems in northern Nevada," Drake said.

Others said the new rules are needed.

"I hate regulations... (but) without them we're getting robbed by these cab companies," said Terry Ellis, a driver with the Reno-Sparks Cab Co.

Most of the proposals are modeled after regulations in effect in Las Vegas. The service authority is scheduled to vote on them at a meeting Nov. 19.

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