A small taxi company sued the city for the right to do business in Des Moines and won. For the last year and a half, Alpha Taxi could drop off passengers in city limits, but couldn't pick them up. "Its hard to do business is you're frozen out of the largest market in the metro area and they just wanted that chance to compete and now they have that chance to compete," says Alpha Taxi's attorney Christopher McDonald.
The city requires taxi companies to have a minimum of six drivers and five vehicles. Alpha Taxi only has two, but the owners have a state license. Today, the company learned a Polk County judge ruled in their favor saying the Iowa code preempts the city's. "I think it took me four hours to soak in, but we were very pleased, very pleased indeed," says owner Bill Chaney.
The ruling only applies to Alpha Taxi. Other cab companies must still meet the city's requirements for service. Des Moines officials could not be reached for comment today, but McDonald says he was in contact with the city and its attorney is reviewing the ruling.
The city requires taxi companies to have a minimum of six drivers and five vehicles. Alpha Taxi only has two, but the owners have a state license. Today, the company learned a Polk County judge ruled in their favor saying the Iowa code preempts the city's. "I think it took me four hours to soak in, but we were very pleased, very pleased indeed," says owner Bill Chaney.
The ruling only applies to Alpha Taxi. Other cab companies must still meet the city's requirements for service. Des Moines officials could not be reached for comment today, but McDonald says he was in contact with the city and its attorney is reviewing the ruling.
