Thank YOU Senator Carroll

Another state leader gets it ... 

It's starting to seem like the only state officials who don't support Mile High Cab's bid to create jobs and bring lower fares and better service to consumers is the Administrative Law Judge at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Senator Morgan Carroll, representing parts of Aurora that include many Mile High Cab drivers and potential customers, sent a letter urging the PUC to get with it and back Colorado citizens instead of big companies. Senator Carroll, a lawyer, carefully reviewed the judge's opinion before writing.  Thanks, Senator.

Here's what she writes:

"Dear Commissioners:


I am writing because I am concerned with a recent decision to deny Mile High Cab's application to operate in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties. I think that the current law would lead toward the approval of Mile High Cab's application -- not its denial.


Denver cab fares remain higher than most of our counterparts in other big cities, in part due to a history of inadequate choice and competition for consumers. Refusing this application indicates a type of protectionism that is not consistent with Colorado law, policies or the best interest of consumers.


Given the importance of maximizing as many affordable transportation options as possible to our residents and tourists, it is my sincere hope that you take the appropriate measures to reconsider this application."

Wow, right on, Senator Carroll.

You can write a letter in support of Mile High Cab, too. Write to Director Doug Dean here.

Morgan Carroll

Never give up ... never

Mile High Cab back in the news, case sent back to ALJ .... 

An excellent report out by the Aurora Sentinel today, and a great photo of Archie:

Driving in circles: Mile High Cab case goes back to PUC judge

By BRANDON JOHANSSON The Aurora Sentinel

"AURORA -- The fate of proposed taxi startup Mile High Cab is now headed back to the same administrative law judge who rejected the company’s proposal in August.



"A spokesman for the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the state’s taxi industry and was hearing Mile High Cab’s appeal, said the commission opted not to make a decision at their hearing last week.


"Instead, the commission said it did not have enough information to determine whether Mile High’s entry would be a detriment to the public interest and sent the case back to the judge.


"The judge is now expected to further study what impact another taxi startup, Union Cab, had on the market when it launched 17 months ago, said Terry Bote, a spokesman for the PUC."

Read the rest here.

The question is, why does the PUC even care if there are enough, too many or not enough cabs on the road? This isn't electricity and natural gas, it's taxis for Heaven's sake. Even airlines are deregulated, and guess what, you can still get a nonstop from Denver to Phoenix (and for less than the price of a taxi from DIA to Highlands Ranch, we might add).

Let the market decide if there are enough cabs.

We Live to Fight Another Day! Courage

PUC sends Mile High Cab bid to operate back to judge

From today's Denver Business Journal:

"The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Friday sent a Mile High Cab Inc.’s bid to run a taxi service in the Denver area back to an administrative law judge for further consideration.

Mile High Cab wants to operate 150 cabs in the counties of Denver, Adams, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Douglas. It filed a Colorado PUC application to start operations in September 2008."

Read the rest of the story here.

Mile High Cab on TV

He gets it, Fox 31's Jon Bowman on the Taxi Fight ...

From the Fox report:

DENVER - The start-up cab company Mile High Cab has been deemed operationally and managerially fit for business by state regulators.

But an administrative law judge for the Public Utilities Commission has denied the company the right to offer cab service at cheaper rates with better coverage, and with no fees for bags or extra passengers.

On Wednesday, more than 150 current and would-be 'hacks' showed up to support the regulators position.

"We just want to have our American Dream," said Edem "Archie" Archibong, Mile High Business Manager. "We want to have competition. That is what this is all about."
Watch the full video ... here

Or just watch it here:

 

Huffington Post, Another in Favor of Mile High Cab ...

Mayor Hickenlooper opposes new jobs?

Huffington Post writer Jessica Corry scratches her head. Why is Mayor John Hickenlooper, a man running for governor in a jobs-starved state, opposed to the 150 new jobs Mile High Cab would create?

Hickenlooper, she writes, actually wrote to the PUC in opposition of Mile High Cab's proposal to create jobs and let consumers ride for less. Corry writes:

"The city's biggest taxi market players, Metro and Yellow, greeted Mile High's proposal with lawyers and lobbyists. This atrocity simply could not be left to stand. And they didn't go low end. They enlisted the support of Mayor John Hickenlooper, the same guy now running to be our state's governor and whom proclaims his commitment to eliminating bureaucratic red tape wherever possible.

"While Hickenlooper has inevitably done a lot of good for Denver, as well as the entire state (and I'd vote for him any day over current GOP contender Dan Maes, if that were my only choice), his decision to write to the PUC opposing Mile High makes one wonder.

"The city needs more cabs. The city needs more jobs. Grab a cab from one of the existing companies and you'll hear the same message again and again. Drivers are tired of being forced to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars each month to lease cabs or operate under a cartel system that give them little freedom or opportunity to grow."

Read the entire excellent post here.

Time Out!

Commissioners call a halt, Mile High Ruling delayed ...

Mile High Cab got its day in "court" on Wednesday, Oct. 6, with a two-hour apperance before the full Colorado Public Utilities Commission board. The three-member panel heard summaries from staff of Mile High Cab's exceptions to the administrative law judge's findings in a hearing room packed with Mile High supporters.

But after considering several angles and arguments, the panel agreed to recess to review the legal matters and other issues. Commissioners are scheduled to return, possibly with a ruling, at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8.

You can follow along live, on the Internet, at the PUC's official site.

Or drop by in person at Hearing Room A, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver.

PUC To Get an E-A-Rful

State commissioners to hear Mile High Cab case next week ...

Here's the agenda, it's all us! Show up, and show your support!

pucagenda