A Word on Fairness, Safety, and Taxi Competition in Saint Augustine
Posted on April 2016 by Abraxi Taxi
I received a letter today asking for my views on taxi service in Saint Augustine. It seems one company is going after several others, trying to tighten their grip on the market by questioning competitors’ vehicles and practices. Let me be clear: at Abraxi Taxi, we’re proud to operate some of the newest, lowest-mileage cabs in the Ancient City. But if another company chooses to run older cars with more wear, and those cars still meet the city’s safety standards, we don’t see a problem.
If a vehicle is unsafe, the Saint Augustine Police Department has the authority to pull it over and issue a citation. That’s how enforcement should work — fairly and consistently.
Are We Really Talking About Safety?
If we’re truly concerned about health, safety, and welfare, then let’s talk about gas-powered golf carts cruising down U.S. 1 or pedicabs crossing the Bridge of Lions. These pose a much more obvious hazard than a taxi that happens to be a few years old.
Saint Augustine has a diverse market of riders — and there’s room for more than one kind of cab company, as long as everyone plays by the rules. Some companies charge more, others less. That’s fine. If you’re a metered taxi, then use a meter. If you operate with zone rates, like we do at Abraxi Taxi, then stick to your zones. But you can’t do both. It’s about integrity, consistency, and transparency.
We do not charge surge pricing. We never jack up fares at peak hours. What we charge at 2 a.m. is the same as what we charge at 2 p.m. That’s our commitment.
The Uber Question
What really bothers me — and many others in our community — is how Uber operates outside city regulations, and nothing seems to be done about it.
There are legal requirements to operate a taxi in this city: medallions, commercial insurance, inspections, background checks. Abraxi Taxi meets them all. Yet Uber drivers, who are not held to the same standards, continue to pick up fares. What’s worse, there are real safety concerns, including a case where an Uber driver allegedly stalked and groped a local resident.
If cleaner, newer vehicles are the goal, that’s fine — but how are small companies supposed to keep up when we’re fighting illegal competition that undercuts us and ignores the rules?
If Safety Is the Priority — Prove It
If the city is serious about safety, then stop turning a blind eye to:
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Gas-powered go-carts on busy highways
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Pedicabs crossing dangerous bridges
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Uninsured Uber drivers without background checks
If a taxi fails to meet standards, pull it off the road. But start with the ones operating completely outside the law. Impound illegal Uber vehicles. Fine them. Enforce the rules — equally and firmly.
The Bigger Picture
Running a cab company isn’t easy. Taxis rack up mileage fast. Passengers can be messy. Accidents happen. But we try hard every day to offer clean, safe, and reliable service. Meanwhile, some players — big and small — seem to thumb their noses at city ordinances, and they get away with it.
If you want a better, cleaner taxi fleet in Saint Augustine, that’s possible — but only if the playing field is leveled. Otherwise, we’ll be forced to raise rates just to survive, and that turns a basic cab ride into a luxury item for many working people.
People should be allowed to choose the cab company that fits their needs — whether they want the cheapest option or the cleanest car.
But please: don’t let any company — local or international — bully the city into enforcing a biased agenda. Enforce the laws you already have. Do it fairly. Do it for everyone.
Because the real danger isn’t the age of a vehicle. It’s unregulated drivers, open vehicles in unsafe areas, and bad actors hiding behind slick apps or lobbyists.
