In a council debate Monday over a proposal for a second taxi
business in Hollister, members arguing in favor of open competition
won out in a 3-2 vote, meaning Yellow Cab Co. will be allowed to
vie for Hollister Taxi’s service. Council members Victor Gomez, Ray
Friend and Eugenia Sanchez voted to OK the permit. Council members
Doug Emerson and Pauline Valdivia voted against it while expressing
concern about the need for another taxi business.
HOLLISTER
In a council debate Monday over a proposal for a second taxi business in Hollister, members arguing in favor of open competition won out in a 3-2 vote, meaning Yellow Cab Co. will be allowed to vie for Hollister Taxi’s service.
Council members considered the application from the Monterey-based company and co-owner Stephen Cardinalli, of Del Rey Oaks. The city code requires a report from Police Chief Jeff Miller, who detailed findings in such areas as potential demand, congestion and hazards while concluding that “no negative information would preclude” the applicant from getting a permit.
Council members Victor Gomez, Ray Friend and Eugenia Sanchez voted to OK the permit. Council members Doug Emerson and Pauline Valdivia voted against it.
Hollister Taxi has operated here for 26 years, but Yellow Cab’s two representatives contended that their business would provide such improvements as quicker service – Cardinalli told officials bar and restaurant owners here said it can take up to two hours for a ride – and less expensive rates. The company expects to do that by dispatching eight to 10 cabs in Hollister, driven by local residents.
Hollister Taxi’s owner also was at the meeting and told council members the business operates with two cabs at all times, one in service and another on call. He noted how Saturday is the busiest day of the week and responded to the allegation about long delays by noting that, “For some reason, our community likes to call all at the same time.”
Council members first rejected a motion by Valdivia to deny the application before they adopted a resolution from Gomez approving it.
Gomez pointed out how he owns Papa Murphy’s in Hollister and said he would be a hypocrite as a business owner to disallow competition. He believes two competitors could result in better service and lower rates, which would benefit Hollister citizens.
“Though I sympathize with you,” Gomez said to Hollister Taxi’s owner, “I believe in capitalism.”
Emerson before his dissenting vote said he was concerned about the need for a second cab company.
“First, let me say, I believe in competition. I believe very highly in competition,” Emerson said. “But the way I read this resolution is, adopting this resolution means we believe there is a need in the community for a second cab company.”
Emerson said the argument that “competition is good” was the only contention made in favor of approving the permit.
“I didn’t hear anybody come here and have any complaints about our present cab company,” he said.
Look back for more on this story.
The following is the latest installment of the News and You with Marty Richman. This edition focuses on the future of information technology in the county.
Editor’ note: There is a clarification on the overall costs for the projects. Ray Espinosa noted the county is looking at outside funding opportunities for some of the projects. The county so far has received about $300,000 to get some of the projects started. San Benito also is pursuing stimulus funds for backup infrastructure projects. One thing he left out was that the county is earmarking capital funds for these projects, but the quote numbers aren’t final.
