INUVIK - Town council supported Duane DeBastien's proposal to start a competing taxi company in Inuvik on Oct. 28, but it didn't come as easy as he would have liked.

Duane DeBastien is relieved about council's decision on Oct. 28 to support his bid to start a new taxi company in Inuvik. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

His main concern, which was echoed by councillors, was with the first motion proposed by town staff that DeBastien be granted a license only if he purchases a GPS computer dispatching system - the same one used by United Taxi, the only cab company in town - which is worth approximately $100,000.

The system can keep a log of calls and cab routes so the town can follow up on customer complaints more effectively.

The stipulation was taken out of the motion when Councillors Terry Halifax and Clarence Wood emphasized that the town currently doesn't have a bylaw in place to force a company to purchase such a system.

The amended motion was supported four to three with Halifax, Clarence Wood, George Doolittle, and Brian McDonald in favour and Jim McDonald, Grace Loreen, and Chris Larocque against.

Although he plans to eventually operate his company, Delta Cabs, with a GPS program, DeBastien said there was no reason for council to try to force him to do so. He plans to start his operation with a radio dispatcher.

"I think the town is trying to interfere too much with the taxi business," he said. "If they're going to, then they should get involved with the running other businesses in town. It's not right."

DeBastien ran a cab company in Fort McPherson for one and half years but gave it up to move to Inuvik. He said the town needs another cab company, and he already has about a dozen cab drivers ready to sign up with him.

"It's time for the community to choose who they want," he said. "I had it in the back of my mind for over a year now. I didn't want to jump right into it right away."

Larocque said he wanted DeBastien's company to be equipped with a GPS system because it has proved to be an effective tool in eliminating complaints over taxi service in town.

"Anyone on this council knows the issues that have come up time and time again," Larocque said. "The only reason why we regulate taxi business here is because it can't regulate itself. There's always been in-house fighting and so many complaints. The GPS system takes away everything. It comes up, it's recorded. We can get a electronic copy of any route."

But Halifax maintained it's not council's place to dictate what dispatching service equipment taxi companies in town must use.

"It's not in the bylaw ... So far he's complied as it's written," said Halifax. "In my mind it comes down to customer service. If in fact the GPS tracking system better serves customers, then he's at a disadvantage. It's up to council to change the bylaw if this is industry standard."