Cab Company Could See Changes

A proposed ordinance could make some changes to a Zanesville cab company.

Zanesville’s Public Safety Committee held a meeting on Wednesday to review an ordinance regarding taxicab licensing and operation.  City council member D.J. Dittmar said the proposed ordinance would require Starbright Cab Company to post its fares clearly for passengers, get its vehicles inspected by the city annually and purchase more insurance coverage.

"The taxi company said that it would be kind of a hardship to take them up to a higher insurance level, but as everything has gotten more expensive, so has insurance, and that’s something that they’re going to see if they can get a few more quotes and see if they can get to that number," said Dittmar.

Also being looked at is a rules and regulations document issued by former Public Safety Director Robert Brandford. Dittmar said the maximum age of the vehicles and employee dress code are a couple of the items being discussed.  He said the city is working with Starbright Cab Company to resolve any issues, because it’s the only 24/7 taxi service in Zanesville.

"We definitely want to work with the taxi company we have," said Dittmar.  "We think that they provide a great service to the community, and of course we want to protect the community and the taxi company, so we have a lot of things to look at."

Dittmar said the ordinance will be tabled for another meeting.  Current Public Safety Director Fred Buck is in charge of enforcing any rules and regulations.