What Do You Think?

Received this Email from a Cab friend:

On 18 March 2008 an Administrative Judge will be asked to determine if a rule of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation that permits non- HCPTC licensed limousines, taxicabs and small buses to: Enter the county with passengers to patronize - bars, sports venues, dining establishments etc., and transport passengers all over the county for an unlimited amount of time; Enter the county to drop passengers off at the airport, cruise port to other mass transit point or convention sites and hotels; Enter the county after loading the "paying passenger" outside of the county for the purpose of loading other passengers for continuation of transport; Expands, modifies or contravenes the following provisions of chapter 2001-299 Laws of Florida: S7 ( 1 ) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating a public vehicle on the public highways of the county unless that person has complied with the provisions of this act. S7 ( 2 ) Any person desiring to engage in the business of operating any public vehicle in the county must first make written application to the commission on a form provided by the commission for that purpose. Upon receipt of such application the commission shall investigate the facts stated in the application and fix a date, time, and place for a public hearing on the application. S11 ( 1 ) In addition to any other civil penalties contained elsewhere in this act, any person who violates or fails to comply with or who procures, aids, or abets in the violation of any provision of this act is guilty of a criminal offense and misdemeanor in accordance with section 775.08, Florida Statutes. S11 ( 2 ) Any person who operates a public vehicle upon the public highways without a certificate, permit, or public vehicle driver's license as provided by this act  may be enjoined by the courts of this state from any such violation. What will the impact be on Tampa businesses if the Judge determines  that the rule contravenes the law and no out-of-county limousine or small bus operator without HCPTC licensing can bring in conventioneers, tourist and other classes of consumers to patronize Tampa businesses ? What will the impact be on Pinellas taxicabs if they are prohibited from transporting fares over to Tampa International from St Pete, Clearwater etc.? Walter Kozak (phone number deleted for privacy reasons)

Comments

[David]

Matt, you have to be careful if you try to pick up a fare in other county. I know for a fact that TIA will try to set you up with a good trip from TIA with airport ops. employees. They tried it twice on me on the same day at departures while I was dropping off. That doesn't mean I haven't snuck a few off when they were on the wrong level. But you gotta be very careful. They will arrest you and compound your cab. A well dressed man with no luggage wanting to go on a 100 dollar trip is a set up. NOT WORTH THE RISK!!!
Around trip is LEGAL as long as the fare starts in the county you are licensed in.

[Larry]

Matt, that means you will have a good day. However, according the the reg's if you are from Hillsborogh, you can't pick up in Pinellas. The reverse applies.

B.T. Davis beach brings back some good memories. In the late 60' we used to sleep out on the beach and skinny dip under the moon light. Nah sharks normally don't come that close.

[Matt]

Larry, what if a Pinellas cab drops off here, but maybe worked a round trip deal with the customer, and needs to kill some time?

[Tom UC 123]

I am sure we have all been asked the question in route or mostly at the end of a trip to Clearwater or
wherever "can you wait a minute or two, I am going back to Tampa"?

Another one is you are dropping at a hotel out of County and someone has been waiting for a cab to TIA for a long time and wants yo know "can you take me"?

Let me take a guess most including yours truly says yes to that question, with money up front, of course. Tom

[zak]

I think prostitution should be legal. But, as with the wording of the HCPTC law prohibiting any unlicensed taxi or limo from traversing the highways of the county unless licensed, it's not legal regardless of personal opinions.

[Larry]

I can see no problem in Pinellas drivers picking up in their county and taking thier passengers to another county. Airport, convention center or bars. However, I don't think they should be allowed to stay and move around looking for fare's. Once thier fare has been dropped, they should go back to where they came from. No pun intended from the previous post.