LV limo owner fined, protests state regulation

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998 | 12:12 p.m.

John West, who operates AAA Limousine Service of Las Vegas, this week demonstrated in front of the Sawyer Building, which houses the Nevada Transportation Services Authority. Then he went to a different state building and received a fine.

The TSA is a state agency that last week denied him certification to operate within the state.

West is licensed federally for interstate runs, but was denied state certification because he continuously missed deadlines for submittal of requested background information.

Two days after being denied certification, West was cited by the Nevada Taxicab Authority for illegal operations. He was found guilty of operating without certification on Monday and fined $15,000, $11,500 of which was to be suspended.

Bob Flaven, chief investigator and prosecutor for the Taxicab Authority, said his agency began citing and confiscating illegally operating vehicles a year ago in conjunction with TSA enforcers and has cited about 55 limousine drivers since then.

West has accused the TSA of kowtowing to existing operators after the panel dismissed his application for an intrastate permit.

West is vice president of the Independent Limousine Owners/Operators Association, a group of uncertified Southern Nevada companies that has sued the state because it believes it is too difficult to get licensed. Members say the law protects existing large companies by allowing them to challenge applicants they deem unfit based on "public convenience and necessity."