75 go to drivers, 25 to existing cab companies
The city of New Orleans has issued 100 new taxi licenses known as Certificates of Public Necessity and Convenience.
75 of the CPNC's have gone to drivers who have financed vehicles in their own names, but are not currently CPNC holders, and the remainder to existing cab companies.
The Mayor's Office says drivers were designated to receive three-fourths of the new permits to help create "income opportunities for taxicab drivers to become small business entrepreneurs."
District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer says “this new complement of drivers will be good for the industry and good for the City."
In the application process, the Taxicab and For-Hire Bureau considered the age of vehicles, parish of domicile of the applicant, length of industry service, alternative fuel vehicles, accessible vehicles, and complaint/violation history.
