City Votes for County Oversight of Taxi Service
VILLA PARK — Taxi service, which has never been regulated here, may soon come under the control of a proposed countywide program.
The City Council has unanimously voted to join the Orange County Taxi Administration Program, which would be under the jurisdiction of the Orange County Transportation Authority.
In a letter to the city, OCTA’s chief executive officer, Stan Oftelie, said that the agency will decide April 28 whether to proceed with the taxi licensing and regulating program. The decision will hinge on whether an unspecified “critical mass” of cities agree to join a central authority for taxis, Oftelie said.
The proposed countywide system “offers efficiencies for cities and the taxi industry, as well as improved public safety and service,” he said.
Most cities license and regulate taxis, and supporters of a countywide program say that it would be preferable to have one central agency. Opponents, including the Cypress City Council, have argued that there is no need for another countywide agency.
Villa Park City Manager Fred Maley urged the council to approve the OCTA proposal because he believes it would bring uniform taxi rates, insurance oversight, vehicle standards and driver qualification
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