Discussions

Should the City of Brandon have the right to create rules (by-laws) for a specific private business owner, company or even industry with regards to size of company, hours of operation, location, equiptment, or business practices, inovation and technologies.  
 
Here is my dilemna, There is a battle going on in the city of Brandon between the City officials and the Taxi industry. There is an equally bitter battle going on amongst the competitors in the industry.  
Back about 5 years ago, when Brandon's taxi industry wasnt so competitive there were really only two companies providing taxi service to the city. Due to the comfortable level of competition at the time they were able to provide a nominal level of service to the consumer and maintain a bit of a monopoly on personal options for the consumers and employees alike.  
Due to company infighting, and disgruntled employees from the two original companies, the majority of the newer companies sprouted.  
Along came Tasmanian Taxi, then Angel and 5 Star or Co-oP Taxi and 1-United Taxi Group. At the time these companies made the concious informed choices with regards to business plans, future plans , financial commitments and responsibilities with respect to the current City Taxi By-Laws. At the time the City of Brandon had a collection of rules and regulations designed to maintain order in the industry (By-Laws)  
About 3 years ago when these companies made the choice to get in the game based on the rules and regulations at the time, I don't think they ever would have thought the city could just change the rules half way through the game. After spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours, weeks, and even months and years toiling and starving to create a future for their companies, The city is trying to change the rules now. I do feel a little sorry for the councilors who are faced with this decision and I know they wish they never had to deal with it at all. The problem now is that some of the original players are now a little dumbfounded. They have been going into City hall griping complaining and trying to milk their long term freindships with certain people to eliminate competion for to long, instead of getting in the game. They havent been able to maintain a strong foothold in a competetive open market place. They have to compete now and they are panicing. The only reason council is tied up in this mess is because of the continuos whining and crying of certain individuals. These individuals need to take their blankey go home have a nap, wake up and get to work. Quit wasting tax payers dollars and resources. Any and all of the new proposed By-Laws are going to create huge problems for everyone, not just the taxi industry, but the citizens of Brandon, The City of Brandon itself, and even the provincial government.  
Thats the reality of the situation.  
 
I hate to bring light to a situation that places unnecesary attention or pressure on any individual or group that truely means well but I feel I have to express myself to preserve fairness, equality, and a true understanding of the situation.  
 
First off, the proposed By-Law has been created by a group that has absolutley no experience in the industry. I would venture to guess between the whole group they havent even spent $50 combined in a taxi this year. I will admit they have put alot of work into it and I feel bad for them more than anyone else.  
Here is just a simple sampling of the proposed By-Law  
 
It will be mandatory to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week. Sure it doesnt seem like a big deal. "why not",you may ask? It should be the choice of the business. The bus doesnt run 24/7 because its not profitable. What about a drug store, or a doctor for that matter.  
 
The city wants to raise the minimum vehicle requirement from 3 to 6 vehicles in order to make it harder to start a new company, lower the amount of taxi vehicles, and possibly eliminate some smaller fringe companies.  
Why shouldnt the next guy have the same opportunity to start a company as the guy that started with 3.  
Its not going to lessen the amount of vehicles, because if a small company folds the other companies will just put more cars on.  
And last but not least, there isnt a single company in Brandon that has 6 or more cars on the road 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  
 
They want to raise the age restrictions on vehicles from 12 year maximum to 8 years then 6 years. ( I could go on for hours on this issue)  
All I can say to that is "watch out Autopac" Insurance claims and repair bills are going to triple, vehicle insurance is going to double, customer wait times are going to be out of this world, vehicle availability is going to drop drastically, nobody will be able to afford taxis, because operating expenses will be passed on to the consumer, then the city will be really be behind the eight ball. they will be faced with higher unemployment, more impaired drivers,If cars cost 15,000 and 20,000 used, Autopac will be investigating insurance fraud till the cows come home. Thats just off the top of my head.  
 
Now this one is probably the most interesting one of all  
The elimination of the use of cellular technology in taxi cabs.  
Communication is and will always be one of the most important and crucial elements of any mobile service whether its private or commercial. Since the introduction of cellular technology it has reinvented the way people and businesses around the world live and work.  
From children at the park, to huge multi national corporations like Air Canada or the military. It is here to stay.  
The city says it is not going to allow the use of cellular technology to be used by a specific industry (Taxis) in the operation of its daily works. They say it is unsafe to communicate on a cellular device while operating a motor vehicle.  
They do understand it is essential to communicate in the taxi business. They feel that a driver that has to reach for his two way radio speak, wait for a response, then reply. is less distracted than a driver that utilizes wireless Bluetooth technology.  
 
Now here is the real kicker, there is actually one company that utilizes cellular technology regularly, and they swear by it. They say and have proven it is a safer, less distracting more efficient means of communication than the old school bulky corded 2 way radio when utilized responsibly and profesionally. And they are the only company in the city with a perfect track record when it comes to traffic violations, accidents, or customer complaints.  
 
So really, if we are talking saftey, maybe we need to get with the times and work to eliminate 2 way radios. Not attempt to take away a persons right to the same rights and opportunity of every other person in the city or even provice for that matter.  
I cant talk on my cell phone, but Mr. police man can, or Mr. bus driver. tow truck drivers , pizza delivery guy, mom driving home from work. If we are going to ban cellular technology , then ban it all. otherwise dont waste my time in court please.