Tampa Limousine Regulator Looking To Restrict New Market Entry

2008/01/27 08:10

Press Release from:

Florida Intrastate Transportation Alliance

Tampa's limousine regulator, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (HCPTC) is looking to block new market entrants by raising application fees an placing moratoriums on licensing and vehicle permitting.

On the heels of complaints filed by Tampa taxicab drivers that limousine services are cutting into their profits at the regional interstate hubs located in Tampa, board members of the HCPTC has ordered the staff to seek ways to stymie limousine growth.

"Such a move violates the free market principles that this Nation was built on", comments FITA

Tampa Limousine Regulator Looking To Restrict New Market Entry

President, Walter Kozak.

Continues Kozak, "under its' statutory mandate, the HCPTC has the authority to collect reasonable fees to ensure the solvency of the agency. With a $800,000. contingency fund stashed away, the move to raise new market entry fees is clearly economic protectionism and not within the authority of this administrative agency".

"The majority of new market entrants are located outside of Hillsborough County servicing their local communities and this is a blatant move by the HCPTC to monopolize ground transportation at the interstate hubs located within their jurisdiction", finishes Kozak.

The HCPTC will be holding a "Rules Workshop Meeting" covering this subject matter on at 930am on 30 January 2008 at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa.