March 23, 2010
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News: Credit Cards On Wheels
Nevada taxicab drivers won’t be accepting debit and credit card payment for a while yet because a five member Taxicab Authority board postponed voting on the subject. The board called a special meeting for April 6th while its legal staff investigates whether or not the Authority has the legal right to regulate debit and credit card transaction fees. The owners of several cab companies are hoping the Authority will approve the proposal allowing cab drivers to accept debit and credit card payment for rides. Companies that formed the group proposal include Ace Cab, Union Cab, A NLV Cab, Vegas-Western Cab and Virgin Valley Cab companies.
Several other Clark County cab companies are already accepting fare payment by debit and credit card. These companies contracted with TaxiPass that has maintained payment processing devices in the cabs. A global position satellite (GPS) system has been installed in the cabs. In addition to the GPS capabilities, the debit and credit card payment terminals also have a video screen for advertisement. The necessity for approval has become a very confusing ordeal for the cab companies since the companies that are contracted with TaxiPass had previously received approval by the former Taxicab Authority Administrator Yvette Moore.
Moore gave approval to the cab companies to accept debit and credit card payment because she viewed it as an administrative responsibility. However, the new administrator, Gordon Walker has taken a different view on the subject. Gordon believes these types of contracts require review and final approval by the board. Walker has also asked that the board make a determination as to the maximum allowable transaction fee which is currently $3. The fee is not consider part of the regular mileage rate and is strictly a debit or credit card charge.
Making the decision even more difficult was the discovery that cab companies in other major cities that were accepting debit and credit card payment, are not paying any transaction fee. Therefore, the authority is not convinced that the $3 is the proper amount. It too is something that will be looked into. Understandably, the current group of cab owners looking for approval disapproves the way the Authority is handling their proposal. All parties involved, are looking for a fast solution and resolve to the situation.