PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The City Council in Maine's largest city has effectively put the kibosh on a young man's golf cart transportation service on Peaks Island.
Nineteen-year-old Matt Rand has offered rides in his golf cart in exchange for tips from people getting off the Peaks Island ferry. But the Portland City Council voted 5-3 Monday to require golf carts to be licensed as taxis and to carry insurance like any taxi operator.
Rand says he doesn't make enough money to pay for insurance, which can cost $5,000 a year.
The Portland Press Herald says the Peaks Island Transportation System, a nonprofit group that used $20,000 in city money to buy a van, asked for the change because Rand was taking away business.
___
Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
Report a correction
The government never misses
The government never misses an opportunity to get more money!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.The Peaks Island
The Peaks Island Transportation System are a bunch of thumb sucking whiners. Whatever happened to free enterprise. Have they never heard of the work "competition"?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Taking away business?
The young man has an unfair competitive advantage because he is not paying insurance, but I don't hear Hannaford's squawking about kids who sell lemonade on their street corners without a vendor's license. The only concern I have for that young man is what would happen if somebody got injured falling out of the cart during a sharp turn. That "victim" would find a lawyer and things would get very complicated very quickly.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (5) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Not the kid's change
The transportation company did not ask for the kid's change. It asked for the change in policy, requiring the kid to be licensed because the kid was taking away their business.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.So a nonprofit that used city
So a nonprofit that used city money to buy a van is crying because a kid is cutting in on their territory? Too bad!!! This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I agree with Blue Eyes, buy a 3 wheeled pedal bike and give rides.....
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.since he works for tips, and doesn't charge
I don't see how the city can classify it as a taxi and require a license and insurance.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (3) Agree (9)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.In an unexpected display of
In an unexpected display of clarity, you are absolutely correct.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.This is the most childish
This is the most childish thing I have ever heard! License a golf cart? And the transportation systems wants the kids "change"? What is this world coming to? Here's my suggestion to the kid....do like they do in China! Make a taxi out of a three wheeled peddle bike! No motor on that........ no need to license!!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (11)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.