Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (May 31/02) - There will be more cabs on the road following a decision made at last week's town council meeting.

Cab driver Ray Suchodolski says 24 cabs is more than enough for Inuvik - Terry Halifax/NNSL photo

Two issues were resolved at the meeting; the first was an amendment to the bylaw that would set a price of $10,000 on each taxi license issued. The second issue established the number of taxi permits issued.

A previous motion had increased the number of licenses to 30, but some councillors thought that might be too many, so a new motion was tabled to reduce that number to 25.

Cab driver Ray Suchodolski said 24 cabs is more than enough for Inuvik and he says more will make the new permits worthless.

"With 24 permits in a town of 4,000 it's insane -- it's got to be the highest ratio of taxis per person in Canada," Suchodolski said. "What the hell are 30 of us going to do out there?"

Suchodolski said the complaints the town received were part of a work slowdown to force the issue to council.

"They were being told to complain to the town," he said. "You got complaints because they were told to complain." The vote on the motion to curb the number of licenses at 25 was tied 4-4, so Mayor Clarkson broke the tie by voting against the motion.

Abdala Mohamed, owner of United Taxi said the increase in drivers will better-serve the public.

"It's a very good decision," Mohamed said. "It's good for the public and it makes everybody happy."

He said the previous bylaw allowed no flexibility for him to fill in when drivers were sick or their cars were broken down.

Permit fee established

The amendment to set the price of a taxi permit at $10,000 was passed unanimously.

Previously operators would pay about $250 for a business licence.

Mayor Clarkson said the permit price will establish the owner/operator with a tangible business incentive to provide good service and commitment from the drivers. "It makes it more of a legitimate business," Clarkson said. "It also gives them the incentive to get out there and serve the public," he said.

Should a driver want out of the business, he can sell the permit for what ever the market will bear.

"We will sell the right to transfer the permit, so if a driver wants to retire or leave town, he can sell that permit, where currently they couldn't do that," Clarkson said.

After the amendment was passed, council agreed to allow for a six month payment plan to pay for the licence. Payment in full must be received by Oct. 30.