Order 15695 - Tomas Gomez: Appl. for Taxi Certificate

 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

100 ORANGE STREET

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903

DATE OF APPLICATION: April 16, 1998

HEARING DATES: May 13, May 26,

June 18, July 29, 1998

COMMODITY: Taxicab

ORDER

By application filed with the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Tomas Gomez, 55 Santiago Street, Providence, RI 02907 seeks operating authority allowing for the transportation of passengers as a taxicab service in the cities of Providence and Cranston, RI.

A duly noticed hearing on this application was held on May 13 with continuances, at the request of the Applicant's Counsel, to May 26, June 18 and July 29, 1998.

APPEARANCES:

Donald Woodbine, Esq. for the Applicant

Stephen Voccola, Esq. for the Protestants

Mr. Tomas Gomez testified on his own behalf at the July 29, 1998 hearing. He explained that he has operated a taxicab for Gonzalez Taxi Service ("Gonzalez") for approximately 4 years. He stated that he also holds a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). This witness stated that he wants to start his own taxicab business. As a result, because he feels there is a need for another taxicab in the cities of Providence and Cranston, RI, he filed the instant application.

Through stipulation entered into during the July 29, 1998 hearing, the testimony of supporting Witnesses and Protestants in Docket No. 98-MC-36 is hereby incorporated by reference.

FINDINGS

After a review of the record in this proceeding, the Division has determined that the Applicant is fit, willing, and able to operate a taxicab business, but has not satisfied the burden of proof as to the requirements of public convenience and necessity.

Accordingly, it is

(15695) ORDERED:

That this application is hereby denied without prejudice.

DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND THIS TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1998.