Bay County- Local cab companies are asking county commissioners to prevent just anyone with a car and a valid driver’s license from becoming a taxi operator.

Bill Rhodes, owner of the checker transit taxi and bus services, asked commissioners this morning to pass a county wide ordinance regulating cab drivers.

Speaking on behalf of seven taxi companies, Rhodes said the opening of the new airport has brought in an influx of taxi drivers; some haven’t been required to complete background checks or drug testing.

Commissioners asked Rhodes to create an adjustment board, compromised of himself and representatives from four other local taxi company owners, to help draft a possible ordinance.
"Really for the safety and sake of the citizens in Bay County it needs to be done. I'm not requesting it for my companies benefit or the other companies I represented here today I’m basically asking for it for the sake of the county and the citizens of the county. It's something that should of been done a long time ago it's just been neglected", said Bill Rhodes owner of Checker Transit.
"Once this board starts functioning then they will get with the staff and the attorney and then they will come up with some recommendations then we will have a hearing then we can adopted an ordinance", said George Gainer Bay County Commissioner. Panama City has the only ordinance governing taxi services. The airport board recently decided to adopt Panama City’s rates for cab companies carrying airline passengers.