“There is a demand:" Resolution asks that Milwaukee County lift cap on number of taxicabs at airport

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County could lift its cap on the number of taxicabs at General Mitchell International Airport.

A proposal to lift the cap was brought up at the Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee Wednesday, April 8th.

The measure was tabled, and is expected to be discussed at the full Milwaukee County Board meeting later this month.

It is Milwaukee County Supervisor John Weishan's resolution, and he says it's passage would be “good for the free market.”

“It is ridiculous that we are stifling the free market by limiting the number of taxicab licenses to the airport,” said Weishan. “This measure will not only encourage free enterprise, it will give travelers a better chance to catch a cab from the airport in a timely fashion.”

Weishan’s resolution says that the city of Milwaukee revised its taxicab licensing and permit regulations in response to a lawsuit filed by several taxicab operators and by the activities of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft – otherwise known as ride-sharing services. It adds that in the summer of 2014, the city of Milwaukee revised its ordinances to allow for the operation of additional taxicabs and TNCs within the city by lifting the cap on the number of permits awarded by the city.

In addition, the resolution says the city of Milwaukee’s revised taxicab permitting ordinance provides for increased competition and access of new entrants into the city’s for-hire automobile transport.

“The city of Milwaukee has called for increased competition, why doesn’t the County do the same?” Weishan said. “There is a demand for more licenses. This is good public and economic policy, and I hope my colleagues will agree that passing the resolution is the best thing for the free market, travelers and the airport.”