Yellowknife (Sep 22/04) - The newest cab company on the block wants the city to free up some parking stalls, but two other fleets say it shouldn't be allowed to change the rules mid-stream.

Francis Chang, part-owner of Capital Cabs, told city council Monday that his company needs parking stalls. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Capital Cabs opened for business Aug. 29 of this year, but because the 15 parking stalls offered by the city for taxi services were already spoken for, its drivers will have to plug quarters into the meters if they wish to park downtown.

Part-owner Francis Chang appeared before a council committee Monday, asking members to grant his company four temporary stalls until the 15 other designated spots are made available to be divided up between the three companies on April 1.

"Capital (Cabs) has to drive around for hours while the other companies have stalls," said Chang.

Capital Cabs is asking for one stall in front of the Gold Range Hotel, another by Extra Foods downtown, one by the Yellowknife Inn and another by the liquor store on 49th Street.

Chang said they are willing to pay the $2,000 a year the city makes on parking meters at these four stalls, although he indicated he would seek a fare hike if they had to.

The normal fee for a taxi parking stall is $700 a year. The 15 spots have traditionally been split between three companies, but when Somba K'e Cabs didn't renew its livery licence this year, the two remaining companies -- Diamond and City Cabs -- took over the extras.

Fadil Memedi, representing City Cabs, said every time another taxi company opens for business, they try to change the rules.

"(Chang) knew there were no stalls, and more importantly, the city knew too," said Memedi.

"It seems the city will take the extra step to hear the concern of the minority instead of listening to the majority."

Diamond Cabs president Nick Bastas said increased competition through added taxi stalls will hurt cabbies already on the road.

A&W owner Larry Adams, meanwhile, said he didn't want the parking meter in front of his restaurant turned into a taxi stall, because it will turn away customers currently using the space.

He added he was worried fumes from idling cabs would enter his restaurant's air intake and make his staff sick.

After debate, the committee voted to recommend council grant Capital Cabs two stalls. City administration suggested four.

Coun. Alan Woytuik argued it was a mistake to sell off Somba K'e's spots in the first place.

"The new guy on block has to have some stalls," said Woytuik.