• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
 
State of Nevada
Department of Business and Industry
Nevada Taxicab Authority
Petition for Advisory Opinion of Nevada Taxicab Authority
IN THE MATTER of the Petition of Randell S.Hynes, President of the United Taxicab DriversCorporation for an application for AdvisoryOpinion pursuant to
NAC 706.980 Consideration of applications 
concerningdecisions of the Authority
)))))))Docket No.
COMES NOW Petitioner, Randell S. Hynes (“Hynes”), President of the United Taxicab DriversCorporation chartered in the State of Nevada as a non-profit cooperative corporation, and herebyapplies by Petition to the Nevada Taxicab Authority (“Authority”) for an Advisory Opinion concerningdecisions of the Authority. This application for Petition for Advisory Opinion is made pursuant to
NAC 706.980 Consideration of applications.
In support of this Petition, Hynes states as follows:
I. Petitioner
Hynes is a former taxicab driver who commenced work as a taxicab advocate in October 2007.The United Taxicab Drivers Corporation was chartered to formalize his work of helping taxicab driverimprove wages and working conditions.All correspondence can be mailed to Hynes’ current residence, or personal email address:Randell S. Hynes6180 S. Torrey Pines Dr.Las Vegas, NV 89118(702) 456-2899randy@hynes.com…
 
II. Exhibits and Key Indicators
Hynes seeks the opinion of the Authority on whether decisions to increase the number ofmedallions deviated from a previously adopted standard, namely the allocation of medallions tomaintain average trips per shift near 24.Exhibit A is a Memo from TA Staff Analyst Kelly Kuzik to Administrator Yvette Moore onJuly 14, 2003 stating clearly that the Taxicab Authority Board had previously adopted 24 trips as theannual average trips per shift goal. A formula shows the number of additional shifts needed to“trigger” an allocation of 16 medallions, or one medallion for each of the 16 companies.Exhibit B is a table displaying data from Taxicab Authority records for 1984 to present thatshows up until 2003 the average trips per shift were maintained near 24. The table also displays thefact that the decline started from a peak in 2000 of 23.92 average trips per shift and the followingcontrasting data from 2000 to the “projected” end of 2008. [A projection assuming the same statisticsas 2007 was used to complete the 2008 numbers].
2000 to 2008 Key Indicators:
•
9% increase in room inventory
•
18% increase in total annual trips
•
50% increase in medallions (24 hour equivalents)
•
77% increase in total number of medallions
•
27% decrease in trips per shift to 18.78. (Actual number TBD with Nov. & Dec. Stats)
•
33% increase in meter rates, but only 12% increase in revenue per shift
III. Introduction
Since 2001 Hynes has observed the taxicab industry in Clark County. Wages have eroded fortaxicab drivers, service has stagnated for the local population and service has degraded for tourists.By law taxicab drivers welfare is not considered by the Taxicab Authority. Previous TA Boardsadopted a standard that was adhered to for at least 20 years but has been ignored since at least2003. The riding public has suffered as the workforce has transitioned from moderately transient, witha core of proud professional drivers to a largely transient workforce. The core of professional drivers,great ambassadors to Las Vegas has dwindled. 50% to 77% more cabs for 18% more business since
 
2000, resulting in 27% less trips per shift has made it difficult for honest taxicab drivers to earn aliving wage or the lawfully required minimum wage of $7.03/hour.
IV. Deviation From An Adopted Standard
The question Hynes respectfully submits to the Taxicab Authority Board and TaxicabAdministrator is:
Did the Taxicab Authority Board deviate from anAdopted Standard and if so, what is the remedy?
Exhibit A shows the Authority deviated from the adopted standard in May 2003, and Exhibit Bshows the Authority continues to deviate from the standard.Deviation from the adopted standard to maintain trips per shift at about 24 has resulted inhistorical increases in the number of medallions, has eroded the workforce and directly effected themost important lawful consideration, the welfare of the riding public. Also, given the widely contrastingstatistics of 50% to 77% more taxicabs, depending on the shift, for only an 9% net increase in thenumber of rooms and a mere 18% increase in the number of annual trips since 2000 would theAuthority advise a decrease both commensurate with the increase in business and the previouslyadopted standard? Hynes can demonstrate they go hand in hand.In 2008 we have the benefit 20/20 hindsight. What if the Authority had not deviated from thepreviously adopted standard and increased the number of medallions 18% for the actual 18%increase in business since 2000? Adding 18% to the 2000 number of medallions of 1,246 24-hourequivalent medallions in 2000 would add 224 medallions, 14 medallions for 16 companies, for a totalof 1,470 medallions. The projected total number of trips for 2008 is 25,632,117, which iscoincidentally 23.88 trips per shift for 1,470 24-hour equivalent medallions, correcting the deviationfrom for the previously adopted standard in question. There are 1,870 24-hour equivalent medallionspresently allocated, 400 more than required to adhere to the adopted standard of near 24 trips pershift. The Authority must decrease the number of 24- hour equivalent medallions by 400, 25 percompany, to come into compliance with the previously adopted standard.
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...