New cab service seeks license
to serve Lincoln    

[SEPT. 21, 2004]  Michelle Squaire came before the Public Vehicle Licensing Board at a public hearing Monday night. Squaire said that she has purchased the assets of the American Taxi Cab Company and will be naming her new business American Cab. She requested a license for operation in Lincoln.

The board, as explained by city attorney Bill Bates, has the duty of assessing the need for any public vehicle before issuing a license. They must see that the business will meet a public convenience and necessity.

Under the current circumstance the application was viewed more as a transfer than as a new license since Lincoln has had two licenses available and, if approved, there would still be only two cab services and two licenses in town.

However, Squaire was prepared to make her case and did. She said that she had reviewed the records of the business that she and her husband, Randy, are taking over. From that information she had three points in support of Lincoln's need for their continuing cab service:

1. They will be transporting shoppers to stores, workers to jobs, patients to doctors and much more.
2. They will provide a continuing income for the drivers who were driving before. Drivers need stability and job security.

3. When two or more companies share the same market, it benefits the end consumer. Each company must find a way to distinguish itself and appeal to its customers.

The Squaires will be using their residence on North Kickapoo Street as a business address. They live just over the city limits line, putting them in the county.

The business will channel calls through a phone at their home, which will forward to cell phones for the drivers to answer directly in the cabs. As a convenience to their clients, Mrs. Squaire said that the phone number for the new business will remain the same as for the old business.

One resident, Virgil Douglas, who lives near the Squaires on Airport Road, questioned where the cabs would be repaired, stored and dispatched. In particular he was concerned about broken-down cabs sitting on the property.

Randy Squaire said that he has several business properties in town where the cabs can be parked during off hours. Of the concern that cabs might be coming and going from the residence as they're getting calls, he said, "That's not our purpose or our plan at all." The cabs transfer drivers and continue on throughout the day, he said.

When the cabs are in need of service and repair, Mr. Squaire said, they plan take them to Duvall's, which has holding space if there is a delay in the repairs. He said that he doesn't anticipate having cabs in need of repair just sitting, as you don't make money that way. So they won't be sitting around their residence needing repair, nor will they be operating on and off the residence property all day, every day.

Squaire emphasized, "Personally, I have too many children (seven) to have cabs coming and going in my driveway." He also wouldn't want broken-down vehicles sitting around. It would be too much hazard to the family.

Alderman Glenn Shelton made a motion to approve the petition for license, which was seconded by Alderman Verl Prather. The license was approved 11-0.

Mrs. Squaire hopes to have the vehicle transfers completed and restart the business this week. Hours will remain the same: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. The number is 735-9696.

[Jan Youngquist]