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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. Tarrytown taxi driver Felix Lantigua doesn't see a reason for Tarrytown to give its taxi cab licensing program over to Westchester County.
The village has been doing a good job, he said. Why should we turn that over to the county?
Lantigua and other taxi drivers spoke against the issue during a recent public hearing.
Trustees are considering amending local law so the responsibility for issuing taxi and livery licenses over to the Westchester County Taxi and Limousine Commission.
The county has a much more intensive search and background check, Deputy Mayor Thomas Basher said. Basher also noted that the county is able to enforce licenses more efficiently than Tarrytown because they have dedicated employees for the task. Tarrytown police are currently checking licenses in addition to their other duties.
Lantigua has been a taxi driver for six years and said drivers haven't seen one penny raised in fares while every cost they incur has increased.
It's hard for us to be making money, he said.
Lantigua urged trustees to stop looking at the county for now.
The only thing it's going to do is bring our costs up, he said.
Westchester County charges $135 a year for taxi driver's licenses. Tarrytown charges $75 for three years. If the village gives up the responsibility, Blau said they would issue pro-rated payments for drivers who have a year or two still left on their licenses.
Many other taxi drivers who spoke at the hearing complained about outside drivers coming into Tarrytown and taking away their business.
Basher noted that drivers could always call Tarrytown police to report violators, even if the county takes over licensing drivers.
Trustees decided to continue the public hearing for its next meeting so that a representative from the county could attend and answer questions.
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