Order 15753 - Checker Cab: Appl. to Convert 10 Public Plates to 5 Taxi Plates

 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

100 ORANGE STREET

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903

DATE OF APPLICATION: 10/14/98

DATE OF HEARING: 11/5/98

COMMODITY: Passengers

REPORT AND ORDER

LET IT BE KNOWN, that the Applicant listed above filed an application with the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers seeking to convert ten (10) public plates to five (5) taxi plates to operate in Providence, Cranston and T. F. Green Airport. A duly noticed hearing on the application was held at 100 Orange Street, Providence, Rhode Island on November 5, 1998.

APPEARANCES:

VINCENT ODDO, ESQ., for the Applicant

MAGDALENA ANDREOZZI, pro se, for Protestants: Executive Taxi

Joseph A. Ianniello, owner of Checker Cab, testified that he requested the five taxi plates so that his cabs can park in taxi stands in Providence. He said the planned growth of Providence will require more cabs in the City. He said under his present set up his cabs have to be dispatched and then return to the office in South Providence and wait for calls. He said there is a greater need for taxi plates than public plates (TR. 11/15/98, p. 8).

Michael Tartaglione, owner of MAT Transportation, a taxicab company in Providence, testified in support of the application. Mr. Tartaglione said the city of Providence continues to "explode with a constant influx of tourism". He also stated, "I think Sonny will be doing everybody in the taxi industry a very large favor if he converts ten vehicles with 24-hour-a-day application to five vehicles with 24-hour-a-day application in Providence" (TR. 11/15/98, pgs. 31-32).

Joseph V. Andreozzi, an Independent Cab operator, also testified in support of the application.

Joseph Andreozzi, of Executive Cab and Carol Allen of Yellow Cab, testified in opposition to the application. The Protestants testified that there is a sufficient number of cabs in the Providence area.

FINDINGS

The Division has determined, after a review of the record, that the thrust of the Protestants testimony was that five extra cabs in the downtown area could take away some of their business, but presented no evidence to challenge public necessity and convenience. The Division has determined that converting ten (10) public plates to five (5) taxi plates will benefit public necessity and convenience.

Accordingly, it is

(15753) ORDERED:

That the application filed by Checker Cab Co., Inc., 88 Washington Road, Barrington, Rhode Island seeking to convert ten (10) public plates to five (5) taxi plates to operate in Providence, Cranston and T. T. Green Airport, is hereby approved.

DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND THIS 22nd DAY OF DECEMBER, 1998.