Carson cab company looks to expand services

By CHRISTY LATTIN

Nevada Appeal News Service

A Carson City-based taxicab company has filed an application with the Nevada Transportation Authority to expand its services to Fallon.

Capitol Cab Company filed an application with the state office in November and is hoping to garner enough local support to warrant an "emergency expansion" at a state transportation commission meeting Thursday.

Holly Bacon, administrator for Capitol Cab, said the company is looking to receive letters by today backing the company's desire to expedite the expansion application instead of waiting to be heard on the commission's regular meeting schedule, which could take up to six months.

In its application, Capitol Cab lists five reasons it wants to expand service to Fallon, including that there is no current taxicab service in the city and outlying areas, even though the population is "nearing 30,000."

The company also states it has received phone calls requesting its services in Fallon and a letter of reference from the Fallon Chamber of Commerce, along with periodic additional demands for public transportation by NAS Fallon.

Fallon has been without cab service for four years. A-1 Cab operated a three-vehicle taxi service in Fallon before closing in February 2004.

Capitol Cab Company has been in operation since 1985 and is owned by Roy L. Street. He also owns and operates two additional taxicab businesses that operate under the names Reno Sparks Cab Company, Star Taxi, Deluxe Taxi and Yellow Cab. Bacon said Street's former wife and business partner, Margo Street, also operates Executive Limousine Service.

"We're not a mom and pop, but we're the next best thing," Bacon said. "We're very experienced."

Although the company is eager to start its business in Fallon, it may not meet the "emergency expansion" requirements set forth by the state.

"Fallon has been without cab service for years," said Liz Babcock, applications manager with Nevada Transportation Authority. "That proves there is a market. They can use that to go through the application process. It doesn't make it emergency circumstances."