Senate Leadership
December 9, 2008
Looney and Meyer Call for an Investigation Into Connecticut’s Taxi Industry
Safety tops list of concerns — taxi accident rate 4X higher than passenger vehicle rate
Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Edward Meyer (D-Guilford), Co-chair of the Program Review & Investigations Committee, say results of the legislature’s investigation of the taxicab industry in Connecticut are both surprising and troubling.
The report shows that the industry has unusually high accident rates, lack of uniform inspection standards, and varying and unpredictable taxicab rates across Connecticut.
“This report should be a wake-up call for anyone who has ever used a taxi,” said Senator Looney. “It raises serious questions about safety, inspections, and the rates that customers pay. I am committed to putting the brakes on these practices that put the public and taxi drivers at risk.”
Senator Looney called for the investigation by the Program Review & Investigations Committee in March due to concerns raised by New Haven area constituents. In June Senator Looney offered testimony to members of the Program Review & Investigations Committee, calling for better oversight of the industry and more competition in order to improve rates, service, and working conditions.
The Committee’s findings include:
- Of 43 vehicles recently inspected by DMV and DOT at two train stations and Bradley International Airport, 41 failed the inspection (95 percent failure rate) including at least six vehicles towed from the inspection site
- The Connecticut taxi accident rate is twice as high as the school bus accident rate and more than quadruple the passenger vehicle rate
- Current resources are insufficient to provide acceptable oversight of regulation of the Connecticut taxicab and livery industry
- Taxicab rates vary by location and are unpredictable for the passenger
- The Committee’s recommendations include revising statutes to:
- Require unannounced inspections to occur quarterly
- Require all taxicabs to be inspected annually by dealers and repairers
- Have independent garages with unusually low failure rates investigated by the DOT and DMV
“The Program Review & Investigations Committee has provided a roadmap for reform,” said Senator Meyer. “Their recommendation should be taken seriously as we look to improve service and safety for customers and workers. I look forward to leading this effort beginning with the next legislative session in January.”
|
Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
