City Denies Taxicab Licenses

The Department of Code Enforcement (DCE) announced today that they will deny the license applications of seven taxicab companies, representing approximately 160 cabs.

The licenses were denied for failure to comply with various requirements and obligations provided for in the Revised Code. While the specifics differ for each company, the underlying cause for each denial was the company’s inability to either have a dispatch facility or their failure to staff that dispatch facility. Additional problems included the failure to provide a dispatch log or having provided an incomplete and inadequate log that did not comply with Code.

“The Department of Code Enforcement is tasked with protecting the public from business behaviors that can negatively impact the health, safety, prosperity or convenience of the citizens of Indianapolis through the business licensing section. Businesses are expected to adhere to the provisions of Code, as well as abide by the terms of their license,” said Rick Powers, Director of the Department of Code Enforcement. “These license denials illustrate just one example of how DCE uses licensing as a means to deter illegal behaviors that impact the quality of life in the City.”

As a result of the denials, over one hundred sixty (160) taxis should not be operated unless a new application is submitted and approved.

“After investigating complaints and concerns, we noticed that the issues we were having were indicative of a larger problem, the inability of the companies themselves to adhere to the provisions required of them,” said License Administrator Adam Collins. “We have focused our efforts on ensuring that every company, from the top down, follows the obligations of the Code.”

The following companies are no longer licensed and should not be operating effective today: A-Z Airport, Broad Ripple Village Taxi, Capitol Taxi, Freedom Cab, Metro Taxi, Midwest Taxi and Nationwide Taxi.

Whenever possible, DCE licensing staff will work with the companies who demonstrate that they have corrected any issues to bring their companies into compliance and operate a business responsibly within the requirements set forth by the Code.

The public is asked to report any of the taxis associated with the above identified companies in operation to the Department of Code Enforcement via the (317) 327-TAXI telephone line or the taxi@indy.gov email address. Citizens will be asked to include their name and contact information, the taxi cab number, and a brief narrative describing the activity witnessed.

More information, including a description of the unlicensed taxicabs, can be accessed via a link on the Department of Code Enforcement homepage- www.indy.gov/dce.