Order 15564 - Gonzalez Taxi Service: Appl. for Increase in Size of Fleet

 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

100 ORANGE STREET

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

ORDER

DATE OF APPLICATION: 1/16/98

DATE OF HEARING: 2/3/98

COMMODITY: Taxi

By application filed with the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Carlos A. Gonzalez, DBA: Gonzalez Taxi Service, 485 Cranston Street, Providence, Rhode Island, seeks to increase his operation from ten taxicabs to fifteen taxicabs operating within the city of Providence to points throughout Rhode Island.

A duly notice hearing on the application was held on February 3, 1998 at 100 Orange Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

APPEARANCE:          ROBERT G. PARKS, ESQ., for the Applicant

Carlos Gonzalez testified that his taxicabs serve mostly the Hispanic population in Providence. He said these people use cabs to go to their jobs, supermarkets and other businesses. Mr. Gonzalez testified that his dispatchers are all bilingual.

Mr. Gonzalez presented three witnesses in support of his application.

Evelyn Gonzalez, wife of the certificate holder, testified that she has been involved in the operation of the company since its inception four years ago. She said the cabs are busy most of the time.

Mrs. Gonzalez testified that people who call the company sometimes have to wait thirty minutes for a cab. Mrs. Gonzalez presented dispatch sheets to substantiate her testimony (Applicant Exh. No. 1).

Oscar Rodrigues, 160 Wyndham Street, Providence, Rhode Island, testified that he operates a service station on Broad Street in Providence. Mr. Rodrigues said that his Hispanic customers want to get a taxi when they leave their cars for repair. He testified that when Gonzalez Taxi is too busy to pick up his customers, he sometimes drives them home.

No Protestants appeared at the scheduled hearing.

FINDNGS

Carlos Gonzalez, in his taxi operation during the past four years, has demonstrated that he is fit, willing and able. The testimony presented at the hearing certainly demonstrates that Gonzalez Taxi is providing a needed service to the Hispanic community. The Division has determined that the testimony establishes a public convenience and necessity.

Accordingly, it is

(15564) ORDERED:

1. That the application submitted by Carlos A. Gonzalez, DBA: Gonzalez Taxi Service, 485 Cranston Street, Providence, Rhode Island, is hereby granted.

2. That the approval and granting of the instant application is subject to Carlos A. Gonzalez hand delivering to this office within sixty (60) days from the date of this order, the following:

a) inspection of vehicles at the State Garage,

b) proof of meter calibration,

c) registration forms to register vehicle to be operated under the authority granted herein.

DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND THIS DAY THIRTEENTH OF MARCH, 1998.