February 5, 13

NEWS / Washington taxi cab company cited for operating without business license

A taxi cab company operating in Grays Harbor County, WA has been cited for failing to renew its business and taxi licenses. The owner and one of the drivers are now scheduled to appear in court on misdemeanor charges.

Police in Hoaquim, a major city in the county, nabbed the Tri-City Taxi company during an undercover operation last week. The operation was conducted after a citizen had alleged that the company did not have a taxi cab license, a city business license, and that its drivers were not properly licensed. The complaint also averred that the company’s vehicles did not have proper markings and failed to pass safety inspections, KBKW radio reports.

An undercover detective used a Tri-City Taxi cab to get from one motel to another at the other end of town. The ride took about 30 minutes and cost $10. The driver was then stopped by the police, who checked his documents and uncovered that his taxi operator license had expired on December 31, 2012. The 51-year old driver was arrested and taken to the police station for questioning. His daily fare sheet indicated that he had been driving clients all over the city long after his license had expired.

It was also uncovered that the company failed to apply for a new business and taxi cab license for 2013, and that no drivers working for the company had applied for a Hoaquim taxi cab operator license for the new year.

A taxi cab company license can only be obtained if a company furnishes evidence of insurance, safety inspections, and possession of a city business license. These licenses have to be renewed every year.

Police later cited the owner of the company, who admitted to operating without a business license, but said he did not know that his taxi cab company license had expired. However, a notice warning the company that its license would not be prolonged for failure to submit proof of insurance and inspection was served by a police sergeant in person last December.

The owner was cited for operating a taxi company without the appropriate license and for conducting business without a city business license, both misdemeanor charges. Both the driver and the owner are scheduled to appear in court in Tuesday.

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