[7/23/03]Rocket Taxi Cab Company has resumed operations a month after the City of Vicksburg revoked its license to operate.

“Rocket has done what we asked them to do get updated insurance, give it to the city clerk and get inspected by the police department,” said James E. Stirgus Jr., chairman of the Vicksburg Transportation Board.

Josephine Calloway, an owner of the firm that operates one vehicle, declined comment.

After city-set inspections in June, J&B Cab, the largest taxi company in the city, trimmed its fleet and Rocket and Red Top, which also operated one vehicle, lost authorization to operate. Red Top is still suspended, records show.

Stirgus said even though the board enforces new ordinances, the goal is to help cab customers without hurting cab companies.

The ordinance requiring higher insurance coverage and meters in each taxi was approved at the January board meeting. All meters must be set at $1.50 for the first 1/8 mile and 15 cents every subsequent 1/8 mile. Cab companies were also asked to submit plans to make all their cabs the same color by 2004.

Before the metered rates took effect, cabs charged fares based on different zones within the city

J&B owns 20 cabs, but owner James Buie said he will only operate seven under the city’s strictures. He said he welcomes another cab service back in Vicksburg, even though he said business has dropped 40 percent since the metered system began.