HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-2014 B1 simpson2�4
TAXI
CITY COUNCIL
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 -3218
COUNCIL MEETING:_
ITEM NO.: —b
November 10, 2014
NOV 10 20%
SLO CITY CLERK
Subject: Item Number PH1; Request for Conditional Approval with a Change of
Vehicle Background Color
Attention: Mayor Marx and City Council,
Background: We received notice of the Request for Permit to Operate Taxi
Service by A Ride Awaits dated September 30, 2014. We responded with our
concern about the livery (background color and emblems) in a letter to the Transit
Manager dated October 7, 2014. This letter is included in the staff report as
Attachment 3 on page PH 1-8. We continue to be concerned with the background
color of the vehicles that are presented in the staff report on page PH1 -13, and
compared with the photo of one of our vehicles on page PH1 -14.
Discussion: The background color and emblems on a vehicle for hire is called
"livery". They identify the brands of vehicles available for hire in San Luis Obispo:
yellow, blue or white. When our company started serving the City, Central Coast
Cab of Santa Margarita operated the "white" cab. We were required (Municipal
Code 5.20.280.C) to paint our vehicles a different color. We chose red. When that
company chose to go out of business about 2007, we elected to adopt the white
background color and repainted our vehicles to white. Since that time, we have
worked with the City and built our brand ID around the "white cab" as identified
by our dispatchers and regular customers.
We believe that the City will be creating confusion for the public by approving a
second company with the same background color. We believe that the vehicles
shown in the pictures from the staff report as noted above are virtually
indistinguishable to a viewer from the street. In addition to adversely affecting our
branding, this confusion creates a couple of other issues for City residents.
Safety Concem: On occasions throughout the year, we receive calls from the
police department requesting help from our drivers. On one such occasion a
couple of years ago unknown to us, a woman was taken to a destination after
she had been sexually assaulted. It seemed that the victim was somewhat
confused about the time and location of her attack when she reported it to the
police, but was able to identify the "white" cab that transported her after the
crime. The police were able to quickly find our driver through our dispatcher and
gather essential information appurtenant to their investigation with regard to the
pick up location, time, and other subjects.
San Luis Obispo Ci y Council. Letter from 234 -Taxi
Lost Property Concem: During any average weekend of service in the City, our
dispatchers receive several calls from customers regarding property left in the
cabs. If they can recall the color of the cab, we can either check our own lost and
found, or refer the customer to the contact number of the company who provided
service to the caller.
Summary: Our reading of the staff report indicates that the Municipal
Transportation Committee (MTC) discussed this Request for Public Convenience
and Necessity at their meeting on September 10, 2014. We normally would have
brought to Staffs attention our concerns about this matter prior to the MTC
discussion, but we have no record of receiving a notice regarding the matter prior
to the aforementioned September 30, 2014 letter. We are respectfully requesting
that City Council require the applicant to change the background color of their
vehicles (in compliance with Chapter 5.20.280.C) prior to commencement of
operation within the City.
Sincerely,
Leland Simpson
Owner, 234 -Taxi
San Luis Obispo City Council. Letter from 234 -Taxi