Under Anderson's plan, Yellow Cab could increase the number of its cabs during the peak winter skiing season — Oct. 15 to April 15 — by 56 cabs; Ute Cab and City Cab could increase their fleets by 39 and 22 taxis respectively.

Also, during the slower summer months the cab companies could decrease the number of cabs in service by 25 to 50 percent.

Proponents say the new cab regulations would allow taxi companies to survive in a world of skyrocketing gasoline and insurance costs.

Before the public hearing, City Council members had some tough questions about the plan.

Council members said the city doesn't enforce its current rules regarding taxicabs, so it seemed strange to pass new ones.

Assistant city attorney Larry Spendlove said the city's business licensing department is too understaffed to audit reports filed by the cab companies that are designed to ensure the companies are providing adequate cab service and living up to their licensing agreements.

A Deseret Morning News review of those reports found some cab companies were in violation of various city regulations.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com