Prompted in part by Denver’s rising profile as a convention destination, the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau on Monday said it will spearhead an in-depth study of the local taxicab industry.
“Taxi drivers are the first line of defense that we have in greeting visitors,” said convention bureau president Richard Scharf. “This industry is extremely important to Denver’s economy.”
The study will focus on numerous issues surrounding Denver’s taxi industry, including regulatory issues like the high barriers to starting a new company and relations between drivers and cab companies.
It will also look at key consumer issues like service levels, demand, and the professionalism and courtesy of drivers.
The study is intended to help the city prepare for the high-profile 2008 Democratic National Convention, which is expected to bring 35,000 attendees to town.
It also is in response to a bill introduced during the recent legislative session that sought to deregulate the industry. An amended version, which allows the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to look into the lease agreements between drivers and cab companies, passed and is awaiting Gov. Bill Ritter’s signature.
Common consumer complaints about the local cab industry include difficulty hailing a taxi on the street and drivers who won’t take customers on short fares between downtown hotels and the Colorado Convention Center, according to the convention bureau.
The study will be overseen by a newly formed Taxi Advisory Committee, which will comprise officials from city and state government, cab company owners, drivers and representatives of the tourism industry.
It will be conducted this summer by an independent contractor and will be privately funded by the three largest local taxi companies – Yellow Cab, Freedom Cabs and Metro Taxi.
“Drivers are not happy, but the cab companies are trying to do the right thing,” said Max Sarr, operations manager for Freedom Cabs. “This can only be a good thing for Denver.”
The cost of conducting the study has not been determined.
The advisory committee plans to have preliminary results by October and to make a final recommendation by January.
Kalab Gabrassie, a Freedom Cabs driver, said Monday that it is a difficult business to be successful in.
“When a big convention is in town, business is good, but other than that, it is hard to make decent money,” he said.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-954-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
