Inuvik (Mar 31/06) - Inuvik resident Beverly Ross, fed up with the cab service in town, told the Drum last week that some drivers are overcharging and are rude to customers.

"I'm not saying they're all bad, but some of them aren't very nice," she said. "And some overcharge after the bar because they think you are drunk. It's sometimes as much as five bucks more."

Currently, two cab companies operate in town - United and Town Cab - and they share a central dispatch. A total of 30 taxi licences are held in Inuvik.

"Maybe sometimes customers don't understand the charging system," said Abdalla Mohamed, the owner of United. "I recommend people take a receipt if they don't think it's the right charge. It's just like any other business. How would you prove something if you don't have a receipt?"

Mohamed said he has never received complaints about service and would take one seriously.

Nine shareholders make up the ownership of Town Cab, Inuvik's other taxi service.

At the Town of Inuvik, senior administrative officer Tom Lie offers this advice.

"If they've got an issue with the service or are being overcharged they can write a letter to the town and our protective services department will investigate it," he said.

Lie noted the town has not yet received any formal complaints regarding taxi service, but said "appropriate steps" would be taken if a driver is found to be providing sub-standard service or overcharging. Penalties could include any