EVERETT – The city is proposing to indefinitely freeze the number of taxis it allows in town.
An ordinance introduced before the City Council Wednesday night would extend a 90-day moratorium on new licenses that the council imposed in June. The budget and finance committee approved the measure on Tuesday.
The city worries that it would have a harder time regulating cabs and monitoring complaints if the number of taxis in Everett goes above the current 68, city prosecutor Laura Van Slyck said.
“We don’t feel it’s in the best interest of the public to have a huge number of cabs,” she said.
The number of taxis has remained relatively level over the past few years, City Clerk Sharon Marks said. But the city believes more taxi drivers may seek Everett licenses because of a recent rate increase.
In June, the council increased the flag and per-mile taxi rates from $1.60 to $1.80. The change affects all of Snohomish County because all area taxi companies generally charge the rates that Everett sets.
The rate increase put Snohomish County in line with King County and Seattle, which increased rates to $1.80 in the 1990s.
The owner of Yellow Cab in Everett said the license freeze would help his company.
“It could keep competition away, which is better for me,” Adisu Aramde said.
But, he added: “This should be driven by demand and supply. It should follow its own course. What happens if demand grows? I’m not saying this is right or wrong, but it needs to be discussed further.”
Van Slyck said the moratorium would not be permanent. The council would be able to lift it any time it wants.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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