Is Rocky's taxi plan political payback?

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson's administration is pushing for relaxed regulations on the city's taxicab services — a move that at least one critic claims is motivated by the mayor's connections to the city's largest cab company.

Under Anderson's proposal, which will be discussed by the City Council today but likely not acted on for several weeks, the city's heavily regulated cab companies could petition for a rate increase this year instead of waiting until 2005. They could also decrease their service during the summer and increase service in the winter.

Attorney Don Winder, who represents the city's three cab companies — Yellow Cab, Ute Cab and City Cab — said the changes are long overdue and will protect the city's taxi industry, which is facing skyrocketing gasoline and insurance costs.

But Russell Ridge, who has since 2000 unsuccessfully sought a city certificate to run a new cab company, said the proposal would also keep any other cab company from doing any significant business.

Ridge said the new rules would protect the companies from competition by requiring outside transportation companies to schedule rides 45 minutes in advance, making it almost impossible for them to gain on-demand fares from hotels. Also, the ordinance would ban drivers from paying or tipping bellmen or doormen who arrange rides for outside companies.

Anderson, who drove a Yellow Cab during graduate school, said he has wanted changes in cab regulations for years.

"It's not that I'm doing anything because of their support," the mayor said. "They supported me because I'm trying to do what I can to look out for cab drivers generally."

During the re-election campaign, the Yellow Cab Drivers Association contributed $500 to the mayor, and many drivers put Anderson campaign advertisements on their vehicles. During the primary, many offered free cab rides to the polls to anyone who called Anderson's campaign needing a ride.

After a complaint was filed, the city elections clerk ruled Anderson had to claim the free rides as a campaign contribution.

Ridge and challenger Frank Pignanelli's campaign also complained that Anderson should have reported the advertising as a campaign contribution. Ridge estimates the advertising was worth more than $60,000.

The companies want starting fares increased to $1.75 from $1.60. They want the per mile charge increased to $1.70 from $1.60, the per hour waiting fee to $22 from $21 and the minimum airport charge increased to $14 from $12. Rates have not been increased since 1997.