BURBANK : Car Shortage Delays Start of Taxi Service

A Burbank-based taxi firm that won a bitter battle to operate in the San Fernando Valley failed to meet a Wednesday deadline to begin service because a car dealership could not deliver new taxis, company officials told the Los Angeles City Board of Transportation Commissioners on Thursday.

Babaeian Transportation Inc. was scheduled to put 22 cars into operation by Wednesday and add 22 more every 45 days until it has 85 on the road. But Babaeian representatives asked the board for a 90-day delay, saying they have been unable to get delivery of the cars from the dealership.

Because the board did not have time to discuss the item thoroughly, board members put the issue off until a June 11 meeting, said Kenneth Cude, head of the taxi unit for the city’s Department of Transportation.

At the June meeting, the board will consider whether to give the company a further extension, he said.

Babaeian broke an eight-year monopoly held by Valley Cab Co. when it won the franchise in March after more than three years of intense lobbying by city officials. Valley Cab owner Lloyd Conway had urged city officials not to grant the franchise, saying there is not enough business in the Valley to support two taxi companies. He also argued that Babaeian did not have the financial strength to support the Valley operation.