Yellowknife (July 30/03) - Some city councillors say they don't want to mess with free enterprise when it comes to cabs in Yellowknife.

A letter written by City Cab driver Chris Frangopolous and signed by 56 cab drivers from City Cabs and Diamond Cabs, is asking city hall to limit the number of taxis.

In the letter, Frangopolous said he thinks there are too many cabs for the city's population, making it hard for drivers to turn a profit.

But three out of four councillors at a municipal services committee meeting voted against regulating taxis.

"To me a taxi business is no different than any other business in a community and I'm a firm believer in free enterprise," said Coun. Alan Woytuik. David McCann was the only councillor sympathetic with Frangopolous, especially in summer when the cab business is flat.

"It seems to me that the only way a cab driver can do very well in this town is to pray for cold weather," said McCann.

During the committee meeting, City Cab driver Bill Skentos spoke on behalf of Frangopolous and those who signed the petition.

"At this point we work many more hours to try and make a living. We'd like to have some job security," Skentos said. "If we don't stop it now, by Christmas there will be 150 more cars and it will be impossible for cab drivers to make any money."

But Sherry Gram, a driver for Diamond Cabs, was also at the committee meeting and said while the number of cabs is increasing and becoming a problem, free enterprise should rule.

"On behalf of the drivers, limiting taxis sounds like it could be a good idea, but how can you do it fairly?" she asked. "Providing good service is really what's going to make drivers succeed."

Bill Slade from Somba Ke cabs said he thinks an extensive study should be done if the city considers limiting the number of taxis.

"We're a new company that's starting up and we want equal opportunity to grow," said Slade.

Skentos isn't giving up. The issue will return to council in August and he will try again to persuade councillors to limit the number of cabs in Yellowknife.