Bill Earngey

Actually, Eureka has been a one-franchise town ever since the Naomi Telephone Company was granted a City franchise in 1885, as was gas and electricity, and in 1891, The Eureka Springs Street-Railway.

  We've had single franchises for utilities and transportation for 117 years.

  Why? Public services need a secure level of economic stability because of the large capital startup costs involved in their businesses, and their obligation to abide by strict City regulations, including periodic rate reviews.

  In 1982 Ronald Reagan deregulated the bus industry. Private enterprise labeled Eureka a "Loser Route" and dropped our bus service like a hot potato.

  Today, there is no convenient, economical way out of our town by public transportation, other than a taxi, which is rate-regulated by its franchise.

  If our taxi service is deregulated (no franchise), we would be put in a situation like privatizing our Fire Department and letting them chose which fire they wanted to put out.

  Expecting anyone with $10 (cost of a taxi driver's license) to dependably operate a 24-hour public service without regulation is ridiculous.

  Would you really choose to pick up a drunk at two in the morning? They're likely not to show up, or if they show up, they might throw up on you. Kennels and taxis require hourly attention.

  The hard facts: a taxi company, in this small town, cannot survive without a franchise and a subsidy.

  In our case, a taxi franchise, including a limousine franchise, is that subsidy, which costs the City nothing, but guarantees our having a taxi when we need one.

  Okay, short version: If you want dependable taxi service, a taxi franchise must include limousines, too. There is no economic room, like our other utilities, for more than one franchise.

  Limousines can still operate independently in the City, as they do in other cities, as a cushy ride for special occasions.

  If you need economical transportation, don't call a limousine.