SAN FERNANDO VALLEY : Taxi Operator Gets Start-Up Extension
The Los Angeles City Transportation Commission has voted to give a Burbank-based taxi firm a three-month extension to begin operating as the San Fernando Valley’s second taxi franchise.
Under a city franchise approved in March, Babaeian Transportation Inc. was to begin taxi service May 27.
But Babaeian representatives asked the commission for a 90-day delay, saying the company is having trouble getting delivery of taxis from the manufacturer.
The commission agreed Thursday to give Babaeian until Aug. 23 to put the first 22 taxis on the road.
For each following 60-day period, the company is required to add another 22 cabs until all 85 are operating.
The entire fleet should be in service by February.
Babaeian broke an eight-year monopoly held by Valley Cab Co. by winning the franchise after more than three years of intense lobbying efforts.
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