Author: Karen Velie

Despite the fact that cab owners in San Luis Obispo say there’s no shortage of taxis in the area, local bar owners and others contend there is a big shortage, especially on weekends when some patrons physically try to flag down a passing cab.

“The people can’t go home because they don’t want a DUI, but they can‘t get a cab or it will take hours, so they wait for a cab and a fight breaks out,” said Michel Olaizola, the owner of Buffalo Bar and Grill.”

The three cab companies that have permits to pick up riders in the city of San Luis Obispo run combined fleets of 25 cars that pick up riders in areas throughout the county. In comparison, the city of Santa Barbara which has almost twice the population of San Luis Obiso, allows 42 companies to provide rides with as many as 260 cars on the road, said Santa Barbara Police Technician Holly Perea.

In a move to compensate for a 16-percent reduction in state funding, San Luis Obispo city staff is asking for higher bus fares, an end to free transfers from one bus to another and a reduction in trolley services in the city.

The proposed transit reductions are scheduled to be considered at tonight’s City Council meeting.

“I don’t see why they have to raise the prices,” said Charles White, a regular bus rider when told of the proposal fare hikes. “It will devastate me because I am on a fixed income.”