Milwaukee Moves Closer to a Competitive Taxi Cab Market
Transit Committee Approves Measure to Allow County to Negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County for Operation and Regulation of Taxicab Service
(MILWAUKEE) – Milwaukee County has moved closer to a competitive taxicab market with committee approval of a resolution to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County of taxicab service.
The Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee today voted 4-3 to approve the resolution, sponsored by Committee Vice-Chair John Weishan, Jr., and Supervisor Russell Stamper II. The resolution now moves to the full County Board for consideration at its regular meeting on September 26.
Under Weishan and Stamper’s proposal, all operation and regulation of taxicab services would be transferred to the County. A negotiating team from the County would work with the City to develop more innovative regulations governing taxicab operations including but not limited to the following:
- Dispatch Services
- Rate Structures/Taxes/Fees
- Administrative Costs/Savings
- Infrastructure usage
- Vehicle Inspections
- Operating Zones “Green” Incentives
- Intermodal capabilities/Opportunities
“This is a natural addition to intermodal coordination county-wide,” Stamper said. “It will help to increase competition and lower costs to the consumer. It will enhance the quality of service and help to serve areas where service is unavailable or difficult to obtain.”
On April 16, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge ruled that the City of Milwaukee’s taxicab ordinance, which set a cap on taxicab permits, violated the State’s constitution. Judge Jane Carroll said that limits on the number of taxicabs were arbitrary, anti-competitive and unconstitutional. On April 25, the County Board adopted a resolution supporting a City of Milwaukee Common Council measure seeking to repeal the city’s cap on issuing new taxicab permits. County Executive Chris Abele signed the County Board resolution May 2.
“This represents a significant step forward for transit in Milwaukee County,” Weishan said. “I am confident that the full Board will allow this measure to move ahead and help us create a more competitive situation for Milwaukee County consumers.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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