Westbrook residents could get taxi service back soon, as two Westbrook Taxi drivers apply to start their own cab companies in the city.
Edward Dame and Larry Jalbert, who are still driving for Westbrook Taxi, each have applications into the city and will be up for approval at the City Council meeting Monday.
While Dame, who purchased a car from Westbrook Taxi owner Norma Bridges, said he’s only interested in driving Westbrook residents within the city limits, Jalbert said he plans to purchase four new vans – and he doesn’t think there’s room for both cab services to operate.
“It’s a coin toss,” Jalbert said, about whether he or Dame will get City Council approval.
Though City Clerk Lynda Adams said councilors could approve both, Jalbert already has a leg up on Dame.
Westbrook Police Capt. Tom Roth has recommended denying Dame’s license because he has been driving a cab in Portland without a license. Roth said there is also an investigation into activity Dame may have been involved in, but would not discuss the matter further. Roth said he’s recommending to approve Jalbert’s license, because, even though he has also been operating in Portland without a license, he is in the process of obtaining one there.
Jalbert, who previously owned a cab company in Minnesota, said he plans to buy four Toyota vans and hire 10 people to start his business, which he plans to operate at 940 Main St. However, he said, he doesn’t have the money, and is looking to both the city and local corporations, like Idexx, for loans to help him start his business.
Jalbert said it will cost him $7,000 to insure each of his vehicles.
“You’re talking a lot of money to start,” he said.
Dame, however, just wants to operate one car out of his home on Stevens Avenue, with his wife, who is in the process of getting her taxi driver’s license. He said his desire to start the business comes from a concern for the citizens who used Westbrook Taxi.
“I have a lot of nice clients,” he said. “I didn’t want to see it all go to heck.”
Dame said he only wants to drive people within Westbrook, so that Bridges can stay in business, too, covering Portland runs.
“I don’t want to interfere with her business, and she won’t interfere with mine,” he said.
Jalbert, however, is looking to take over taxi service in the city.
“I want to do it all,” he said.
But, still, he said, he’s also looking out for the customers, many of whom are low-income and are getting charged a $10 fee, on top of their fare, from Portland cab companies, just to come to Westbrook.
“They’re raking in money from poor people,” he said. “I have a sensitivity to that. I’ve got to help.”
According to Adams, who spoke with city staff in Portland, it is illegal for their cab companies to charge an extra fee, because Westbrook is considered within the metered area. If residents are charged a fee, she said, they should report it to police.
Meanwhile, it still may be a while before Westbrook redefines its taxi ordinance, which means that no cab company is currently licensed to drive residents from one Westbrook destination to another.
Mayor Bruce Chuluda proposed to suspend the rules at a City Council meeting Monday in order to vote on an emergency ordinance amendment that would allow cab companies in other cities to drive people around within Westbrook.
Though the City Council voted 4-2, with Councilors Drew Gattine and John O’Hara opposed, to take up the item, there needed to be a super majority – meaning five votes in favor – in order for the motion to pass.
Adams said she didn’t know when the City Council would try to take up the issue again.
For now, residents don’t have taxi service, which isn’t affecting only them. Business is down for Westbrook Taxi, and its drivers are struggling to stay afloat.
“My rent and my bills are all due. I’m starving,” Jalbert said.
“We’re all hurting right now,” said Dame.
The City Council will vote on whether to approve business licenses for Dame and Jalbert at a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in Room 114 at Westbrook High School.
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