Green Ride has applyied to the Colorado Public Utilities (PUC) for authority to provide "Scheduled" and "Call and Demand" Taxi and Airport Shuttle Service in Northern Colorado.  Currently there is only one carrier providing service to the public.  

In order to receive approval from the PUC we have to show there is a need for the service.  We need the public's support... a hearing will likely be scheduled in February or March of 2009.  We need witnesses with specific experiences regarding inadequate service to share with the PUC.  Here are some ideas and questions:

• Taxi services
• Do you receive timely and courteous service when you call for a Taxi?
• How many miles are on the Taxis?
• Are they always clean and safe?
• Are the drivers, courteous, helpful?
• Are Taxis always available?
• Are they dependable and on time?
• If you don't use the service, why?
• Did you even know that Yellow Cab is responsible for service in Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Fort Collins, Windsor, and much more?  How good is that service?

• How is the customer service?
• Are your calls quickly answered?
• Is the web site easy to navigate?
• Are the people you talk to friendly and helpful?
• When there is a problem, is it handled quickly and efficiently?
• How is the quality, timeleness, and convenience of the Airport Service?

• Airport Shuttle Service
• Is the service convenient enough?
• Is the area you live getting good service?
• Is the service frequent enough?
• Are there too many stops?
• Are the busses cool in the summer and warm in the winter?
• Would you like a direct service between NOCO and DIA? 
• Are the vehicles up to the standards you expect?
• How about the exhaust and particulates from the busses?  Is that okay?
• Is the pricing reasonable for the service provided? 

Want to support Green Ride's application to provide Taxi and Airport Shuttle service?   Be a witness?  See instructions and complete a survey at www.greenrideco.com 

Bob Flynn

Is Competition Good

Here is another question.  Do you think a major international conglomerate like Veolia should have a monopoly and protection against local competition?  That is effectively what the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is charged to provide.   PUC regulations support limited competition and monopolies when such models are deemed good for the public.  Generally, and in small private organizations with slim margins, I believe regulation is good for the public because it protects the business from failure and ensures quality service to the public.  However with Veolia on the scene, I think the game has changed.  What do you think?

Shamrock Sold

Did you know that Shamrock Taxi and Shamrock Airport Express were sold on 9/11/2008  to Colorado Cab, a company that is owned by Veolia (www.veolia.com) .  Veolia, based in France, owns Supershuttle and Yellow Cab in Denver plus many other transportation companies across America.  Veolia, now the biggest transportation provider in America will continue their aggressive growth.  They will consume and assimilate many small and large local transportation business - I wonder what that will do to local service and to the economy on both a local and national level. 

Shamrock was not the best of businesses but as a local private company it provided essential services and worked hard to become an integral part of the Northern Colorado community.  Shamrock Taxi served the communities of Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont and Shamrock Airport Express provided shuttle service to and from DIA.

The question now is, will the new owners invest in Northern Colorado transportation or will they focus on cost reduction, maximizing profits, and take money away from the local economy.   So far their mantra is cost reduction.

Do you have any thoughts or experiences to share about the purchase or the service provided by Yellow Cab and Supershuttle?  Any specific issues or recent experiences, particularly in Northern Colorado?