Mile High Cab in the Nation's Capital!

The issue goes in front of national leaders

Our story captured the attention of a writer for The Washington Times, one of two paid daily newspapers in Washington, DC.

This proves that the fight for more competition, better working conditions for drivers and better service and lower fares for consumers is bigger than Denver. This is a story about the American Dream and about fair and free competition.

There's an image of the front page of the Sept. 6, 2010 front page here on the right.

And below is part of the article.

Don't forget, if you want fairer working conditions for cab drivers, and better prices and service for consumers, especially those in areas outside of downtown Denver, tell the Public Utilities Commission how you feel. Write an email to the PUC Director, Mr. Doug Dean, at Doug.Dean@dora.state.co.us.

Immigrant cabbies' startup plan hits bureaucratic curb in Denver

By Christian Toto

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The Washington Times

DENVER | All Colorado cabdriver Edem "Archie" Archibong wants is to fulfill the next stage in his immigrant success story — to start his own business.

But Colorado's heavily regulated taxi industry isn't cooperating, causing some local politicians to ask why government is getting in the way of the free-market system.

Mr. Archibong, a Nigerian native and married father of two, came to the U.S. legally in 1977. He joined the Army, where he worked as an optical technician and later started driving a cab to support his family. In 2008, he helped lead a group of 150 Denver-area cabdrivers, many of them legal African immigrants, with plans to start a taxi company called Mile High Cab to serve five Denver-area counties.

In July, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which oversees the local taxi industry, ruled that Mr. Archibong's startup had its financial house in order. The entrepreneurs pooled their collective savings to start the company, eschewing cumbersome bank loans.

But the PUC said Mile High Cab would hurt the public interest.

"While choice is generally a good thing in a market, nevertheless, overcapacity still looms as an issue," the PUC determined.

"Competition is good for us, good for the industry and good for the public, as well," counters Mr. Archibong, 57.

Read the rest of the story, click here.