“That’s a good idea,” he said.
Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan, introduced the House Bill 16-244, which states that there are taxi cabs operating illegally in commonwealth, “unmonitored and unregulated.”
“The CNMI government may be losing out on potential tax revenues from companies that are not reporting their income,” she said, adding that illegal taxicabs are taking business away from the legitimate taxi operators.
In an interview, Syed said the bill will help eliminate illegal taxis.
But he said the Legislature should also consider the financial concerns of legitimate taxi operators.
“The economy is really bad this time,” he added.
Syed said instead of the current 12-year limit, they should be allowed to operate their taxis as long as the vehicles pass the inspection and are in good running condition.
“As long as the vehicles are suitable for passengers, they should not stop us from operating our taxicabs,” he said.
He also reiterated their request that they be allowed to pay their insurance fees on an installment basis.
Santos’s bill stated that requiring taxis to sport a uniform color will allow residents and tourist to easily identify these vehicles for “their safety and for easy detection of illegal taxicabs by our enforcement agencies.”
Santos said all taxicabs should be uniformly colored “safety yellow.”
Under her bill, a violator will be fined $500 for the first offense; $1,000 for the second offense; and $1,500 and revocation of business license for the third offense.
Syed said they will have to pay a minimum of $500 for the repainting of their taxicabs.
Most of the taxicabs operating in CNMI are white.
“We are hoping the government will help us recover the expenses of repainting our taxis,” Syed said.
