Fort Simpson (Mar 28/03) - A revised village bylaw has led one of two Fort Simpson cab companies to pull the plug on its business.

Cecile Gaule, pictured, and her husband Andrew, are planning to cease taxi operations on April 1. They say a new Fort Simpson bylaw is making their venture unfeasible. - NNSL file photo

Cecile's Taxi is planning to cease operations as of April 1, according to Andrew Gaule, who helps his wife, Cecile, manage the enterprise. Gaule said the bylaw, passed on March 17, increases fares to the Wild Rose Acres subdivision too much. It also puts too low a cap on fares to the airport, he said, particularly for multiple passengers. A return trip to the airport is more than 30 kilometres.

Gaule, whose operation consists of an 11-passenger van and a seven-passenger van, wants the rates changed or to have meters installed in Fort Simpson's cabs. Gas prices have jumped dramatically over the past year -- climbing to more than $1 per litre -- and insurance rates are also up, he noted.

"I think the rate structure needed to be looked at a little bit more realistically than what's happened. Why should we be losing money?" he said.

Gaule, a village councillor, has excused himself from all council discussions regarding the issue.

He's also disgruntled over inequities in fines for corporations as opposed to those for sole proprietors. An omission of a minimum number of vehicles in a taxi fleet is another sore point.

As well, he's upset that there was little consultation with the cab companies or public meetings prior to the passing of the bylaw.

Without changes to the bylaw, Gaule said, he and his wife are planning to convert to a charter van and bus service. It may mean less work for some of their five drivers, he acknowledged.

Bernice Swanson, senior administrative officer for the village, said letters were sent out to the cab companies when the taxi bylaw was initially undergoing revisions.

Suggestions from the one cab company that responded were taken into account, she said. Village councillor Duncan Canvin concurred with Swanson that consultation was adequate.

"If they don't feel they can do it for that price, then fine," said Canvin. "They have recourse ... they're always welcome to come back with a counter-proposal but for the time being that's what's on the books."

Leo (Yanny) Cordero, owner of B&L Taxi, Fort Simpson's other cab company, agreed with Gaule that the new rates to the subdivision are too high. He simply will not charge that much, he said.

"I'm not gouging people," said Cordero. "I don't think so, it's not my style."

He said he had no problem with the new airport rates. Despite higher gas prices, Cordero said, his cars don't burn as much fuel as Cecile's vans.