Nationally, there’s a lot of banter about government taking over private enterprises. Such things happen on a smaller scale, too. There were many other factors, for sure, but City Hall clearly had a hand in putting Vicksburg’s last remaining taxi service out of business.

The city’s role came in two forms.

First was the insistence under the administration of former Mayor Laurence Leyens that companies have safe vehicles and sufficient insurance to compensate passengers in the event a driver’s negligence resulted in an injury. In addition to annual inspections and proof of insurance, the city, by ordinance, required metered fares. These were needed reforms, but not without effect.

Second was the creation of NRoute three years ago. Infused with taxpayer funds sufficient to cover more than 90 percent of its operating cost, the NRoute system could charge far less and, at least during the public system’s hours of operation and if vans were going to the destinations passengers desired, NRoute was the far better alternative.

J&B Cab, which closed last week, was the last company operating and offered door-to-door taxi service around the clock, seven days a week. It was owned by Tameka Butler, daughter of James Buie, the previous owner who was murdered in a 2007 robbery that remains unsolved. She conceded that not all the blame rests with the city. Other costs have risen, too, she said.

“I tried to keep the company going for my father’s sake,” Butler said. “I apologize to my customers. It’s going to put a hurt on disabled customers.”

She’s right. J&B provided service to many regulars who must make other arrangements for transportation.

Legally, charging a fare for transportation requires a franchise from city officials. A person can’t just put a sign on the side of a car and start selling rides. Butler believes — and is probably correct — that some entrepreneurs are already on the streets, in unmarked vehicles of course, and charging riders. This is a crime that’s hard to detect or prosecute, however, given the fact that casual service such as taking a friend to a store or a medical appointment in exchange for gas money is both legal and routine. But actual “gypsy” cabs should not be allowed, however, for the same reasons the city set safety and financial responsibility standards for legal operators.