This is in response to a story published in the Sun Journal about Somali taxi drivers suing over a new policy at the Portland jetport (Dec. 6).

The Somali drivers claimed it would be difficult to show up in person to get their permits renewed to operate at the jetport.

There are reasons for restricting the number of taxi drivers at the airport: to monitor the number of taxicabs filling up the drop-off/pickup zones while ensuring there are enough cabs available to provide the service people need.

If cab drivers are out of the area for months at a time, they are not available to meet the needs of the airport.

Renewing their permits in person ensures that cab drivers will be there for the travelers. It is not picking on any group of people, but dealing with an issue that needs control. There need to be enough drivers and, yet, not too many.

Responsibility and commitment are really the issues here. The drivers get permits to provide a service. If they can’t keep their commitment, they shouldn’t keep their permits.

Terry Tiner, Belgrade