SF Cab Company Seeks Licensing Changes

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
February 18, 2013 9:52 PM


If you take a cab in Sioux Falls, most people assume the car they're getting into is legitimate, but KDLT News is learning that might not be the case.

Yellow Cab officials in Sioux Falls are concerned about how simple it is to getting an operating license.

Brent Kinsley, President and Co-Owner of Yellow Cab said the easy licensing process is attracting so called “gypsy” cabs to Sioux Falls.

“Gypsy” cabs are referred to cab drivers operating independently.

Yellow Cab reached out to city officials about this concern, and now city leaders are taking a deeper look at the cab system in Sioux Falls altogether.

"This business is very challenging," said Kinsley.

Kinsley has been in the cab business since 1974 and after decades in the field, Kinsley wants to see a more thorough process when it comes to getting a cab license in the city.

Such as requiring all cab operators to display workers compensation insurance as well as having a South Dakota Tax I.D. number, two things that aren't required during the application process.

"The Department of Revenue don't know you're out there if you don't have a tax I.D. number. If these guys are operating without one and collecting taxes, obviously they've got a problem," said Kinsley.

"We need to know who is out there on our city streets," said Anderson Jr.

Kinsley's concerns have reached city leaders, such as Councilman Kenny Anderson Jr.

"In some cases we are finding maybe some holes within our own ordinance that needs to be updated and cleaned up," said Anderson Jr.

Which could include a checklist, making sure cab drivers have Identification cards, fare cards with rates and keeping meters properly maintained.

Anderson Jr. says another concern deals with cab companies in the city having no oversight of operations, to make sure they meet city codes.

He offered his opinion on what should be done.

"We have to either assign a department or an individual that can physically go out and check taxi cabs in this city," said Anderson Jr.

For Kinsley, he hopes a stricter licensing process will Separate legitimate cab operators from those who slip by the system.

"It's not that we're trying to stifle the competition, we just want an even playing field," said Kinsley.

City councilors said people are already calling in to give input about improving cab companies operations in Sioux Falls.

People can give their input at the next public service meeting on March 12th.