Friday, November 24, 2000
Friday, November 24, 2000 |
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PTC Council sends transportation complaints to police, city attorney
By JOHN
MUNFORD An overture to regulate transportation companies operating in Peachtree City should first be studied by the city attorney and the police department, council decided at its meeting last week. Eric Zinck of Peachtree City Limousine said some transportation companies in Peachtree City are operating while uninsured and under-insured. He also alleged that some companies aren't meeting guidelines from the Georgia Public Service Commission that call for signs indicating the company's name, place of origin and phone number. City Attorney Rick Lindsey said that the PSC might "preempt" cities from enforcing those rules, which are state regulations and not state law. "As it stands now, our police cannot enforce these issues," Lindsey said. Lindsey said he would research the matter more, but he was not sure if the city could actually enforce the PSC's rules. "My gut feeling is that this is a matter for the Public Service Commission and should be heard by the PSC," Lindsey said. Zinck said that a "transportation alliance" consisting of three legally operating companies in Peachtree City was seeking that the rules be enforced to protect local citizens. Zinck gave Lindsey a copy of an ordinance adopted by the city of Forest Park, but Lindsey said that ordinance appeared to govern only taxicabs. Some companies aren't operating with all the permits they need, and some of the drivers for those companies aren't aware of certain safety issues, Zinck alleged. Lindsey said he has already contacted the PSC for information, and while talking to a PSC employee he was asked if the complaints were about Phoenix Star Transportation. Stuart Hoff of Phoenix Star said he took exception to Zinck's comments and his company is licensed by the PSC and the Georgia Department of Transportation. He also said that Phoenix Star is the only company that "gets up around four and five o'clock in the morning" to take local residents to the airport. Councilman Robert Brooks suggested that Zinck meet with the Police Department to explain his concerns while Lindsey evaluates whether the city could adopt such an ordinance. Council unanimously passed a motion to that effect. Hoff said he wants to be included in those meetings to provide input.
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