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Task force pushed vs illegal taxicabs
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Posted on Apr 21 2005
House members adopted yesterday a resolution calling on the Executive Branch to form a task force to investigate and prosecute people behind the “underground” taxicab operations in the CNMI.
Authored by Rep. Martin Ada, chair of the House Committee on Commerce, House Resolution 14-115 said taxicabs and drivers, who offer services at a very low rates—$3 per trip—operate without the proper business license, registration card, taxi driver’s license, and taxicab meter.
“These illegal taxicabs pose a hazard to the people and visitors of the Commonwealth because they are not regulated…and they are not paying business gross taxes,” said Ada.
The resolution asks the Department of Commerce’ Taxicab Bureau, Department of Finance, Department of Public Safety, and the Office of the Attorney General to form the task force.
These agencies, Ada said have the authority and resources to combat the underground activities.
He said that, while the Department of Commerce has began a campaign against the illegal operations, it needs the other agencies to prosecute any violators of the law.
