Competing taxi companies collide at Park Ridge City Council meeting

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Michael Kowal and Patricia Carpenter, of Pink Taxi, address the Park Ridge City Council on Jan. 23. | Jennifer Johnson~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:38AM

A request for taxi licenses turned into a night of trading barbs between supporters of two competing cab companies Jan. 23.

Supporters of Pink Taxi, which is seeking a livery certificate of operation from the city of Park Ridge, accused Park Ridge Taxi of providing poor service in the community, while Park Ridge Taxi drivers and supporters claimed Pink Taxi has been unlawfully operating within the city.

After more than an hour of public comment — which included personal attacks against the owner of Pink Taxi and allegations of a Park Ridge Taxi driver engaging in illegal activity — Park Ridge aldermen meeting as a Committee of the Whole unanimously voted in support of granting Pink Taxi a minimum of five licenses and a maximum of 10. The recommendation is expected to go to the Feb. 6 City Council meeting for a formal vote.

In February 2011 the previous City Council rejected Pink Taxi’s request for a livery license. Since that time Pink Taxi vehicles have been seen driving in the city and advertisements for the company appeared in some businesses. Pink Taxi’s Facebook page identifies the company as “Pink Taxi of Park Ridge/Arlington Heights,” with headquarters at 800 Busse Highway in Park Ridge, and photos on the company’s website show its cabs prominently parked outside Park Ridge City Hall.

Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski said the Police Department had received a complaint of Pink Taxi operating without a livery license from the city, but no citations were issued as there was not enough evidence to support the claim.

Deputy City Manager Juliana Maller acknowledged that the city’s ordinance concerning taxi operation is “very difficult to enforce.”

If the Park Ridge City Council formally votes to grant Pink Taxi the licenses it has requested, it will be the first time that a cab company other than Park Ridge Taxi has been allowed to legally operate in the city.

Aldermen indicated they were in favor of competing taxi companies within the city.

“Competition is good. That’s what this country was founded on — competition,” said 1st Ward Alderman Joe Sweeney.

A percentage of Pink Taxi’s profits is donated to breast-cancer research, said Patricia Carpenter, the owner and applicant. Pink Taxi is looking to establish cab stands at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s Nesset Health Center.