GLENDALE : Council Delays Vote on Taxi Licensing

The Glendale City Council on Tuesday delayed voting on proposed revisions to the city’s rules governing taxi licensing.

Instead, the council will continue to investigate the way other cities regulate taxi services.

Mayor Larry Zarian said he opposes a requirement in the current law that applicants for taxi licenses prove that the city has a need for their services.

Four companies have permits to offer cab service in Glendale, but they all are either owned or run by the same family. Two other companies, San Gabriel Transit and People’s Taxi, have applied for permits, but those were denied because the companies couldn’t prove there was a need for new cabs.

On Tuesday, Zarian said city officials should consider lifting all regulations on taxis.

“Why are we so intent on regulating one (kind of) company when we don’t regulate anything else?” he asked. “I think we ought to open it up.”

Other council members said the city needs to regulate taxis to keep traffic light and prevent competition from getting out of hand.

“I don’t want to look like New York, and I don’t want bandit cabs sneaking in here,” Councilman Richard M. Reyes said.