Pair of Leamington cab companies to keep licences

Two Leamington cab companies will remain in business after learning Wednesday their licences will not be revoked by the town.

Leamington Taxi and Leamington Yellow Taxi were notified Wednesday that they have until Oct. 31 to comply with a bylaw that requires them to submit a site plan for parking for their cabs and employee parking.

Leamington Yellow Taxi owner Mike Nader said he was feeling OK about the decision.

“We already gave them the site plan and we’re waiting for the approval,” Nader said. “If they give us site plan approval, say next week, we’ll start construction right away. I hope we finish it by October.”

Nader said the plan was filed with the town on Aug. 15.

He has to provide 14 parking spots because he has seven cab licences and seven employees. His parking lot must be paved and lined.

Nader also received an eighthour licence suspension to be served Sept. 12 between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. for failure to apply for site plan approval by the June 30 deadline.

“We’re still in business, yes,” he said. “They were very good to us. They gave us another chance.”

Leamington Taxi owner Mike Aloqaili said he was happy to find out he was still in business.

He also received a letter notifying him his licence would not be revoked, but he must serve an eight-hour suspension Sept. 13 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“I’m still very happy that my business is going to stay until Oct. 31,” Aloqaili said. “I’m going to work something out with the town about the paving part ... maybe find another parking lot. Or I’m going to rent another place with a paved parking lot.”

Aloqaili said his licences expire on Oct. 31. He estimated it will cost him about $8,000 to get safety inspections of his 12 taxis and make any necessary repairs, as is required when cab licences are renewed. He’ll also have to pay $200 for each licence.

“So there is much money,” Aloqaili said. “But I don’t want to spend all this time and then they say no we are not going to approve you because of site plan.

“But after all (of this) I’m really happy,” he said.

Sun Parlour Cabs owner Jack Trefry said he hadn’t yet received his letter from the town.

“I’ve been in this business for 35 years, I’ve owned it for 30 years and been doing it for 35 and it’s just gotten stupid,” Trefry said. “I’m not allowed to park on any municipal property.

“They’re trying to fine me, I know that. I’ve already heard that,” Trefry said. “But I’ve got no place to park, so I’m on the road.”

A fourth company — Nader Cabs — will appear before the town’s appeal committee in October after requesting a deferral.

We’re still in business, yes. They were very good to us. They gave us another chance.