[06/19/03]The owner of one of two taxi companies shut down by stronger city regulation has taken a legal step to get his one-man operation back in business.

City officials were served notices Wednesday saying a lawsuit has been filed in federal court seeking an injunction. Bill Williams, owner of Red Top Taxi Cab Company, filed suit May 30 in U.S. District Court.

“These and other tactics of this administration are beyond comprehension and are designed to destroy legally sanctioned businesses,” wrote Williams, who filed the suit on his own behalf.

No hearing date had been set for the injunction, which, if granted by a federal judge, could allow the company to keep operating.

Red Top is one of two Vicksburg taxi operators the city said failed to pass an inspection on June 3 when proof of insurance was not presented as required. That effectively put Red Top and Rocket Cab out of business.

Cabs in Vicksburg formerly posted $5,000 bonds for property damage or injury claims. New rules raised required insurance to a minimum of $75,000 for injury or death and $150,000 for each accident and for damage to property.

Williams also says the city’s enforcement of a 44-year-old ordinance is unfair. The old law says cab companies must have a 24-hour-a-day and 7-day-a-week dispatcher. He has used cell phones to operate for the past five years.

“The City of Vicksburg is engaging in passing laws, rules, regulations and ordinances to destroy the taxi cab industry in Vicksburg,” Williams wrote.

James Stirgus Jr., chairman of the Vicksburg Transportation Committee, said during a meeting last week that both companies will be given an opportunity to go through the annual inspections once proof of insurance is provided. So far, the only company to pass the new inspections was J&B Cab Company, which presented seven vehicles at the June 3 inspections.

The transportation committee was established in December to oversee the public transportation industry in Vicksburg including cabs. Along with tougher inspections, the committee required companies to install meters and set new rates that went into effect June 1.

The new metered rates are $1.50 for the first 1/8th mile and 15 cents for each additional 1/8th. Previously, fares were decided by a zone system.

Cab companies are also being asked to submit plans to make all their cabs the same color beginning in 2004.