New taxi regulations take affect in the Village of Monroe in January

By Claudia Wysocki
MONROE — The Monroe Police Department will hold a workshop Monday, Oct. 30, for the local taxi cabs and car service owners to receive input on the new taxi laws that go into affect in January.
There are 15 to 20 taxi and services working in the Village of Monroe.
They will meet with Monroe Police at 7 p.m. in Village Hall, 7 Stage Road.
The taxi and services will be explained how they will be complied by the law.
"There are a lot of non-legal taxi operations," said Police Chief David Conklin, which is one of the issues addressed by the new law.
18 months of studyUnder current practice, the occupants in the taxis do not have to use a seat belt and the taxi services do not now have bond insurance or to require a Class E license for drivers
Village Trustee Neil Dwyer said the Village Board spent 18 months to review, revise and address other municipality usage of similar law and vetting it through council to get this point.
He added that customers should feel safe and secure once they enter the cab because the driver and his or her company is known to the village.
Dwyer said the owner of the taxi company should consider the quality of life, safety and sound mechanical operations.
Business owners as well as residents will have an opportunity to discuss the law at the workshop.
'Create the safest transportation environment'"In a time where ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyfi give anyone the opportunity to be a 'taxi service' with disregard to proper insurance, licensing and safety to their customer," said Monroe Taxi Company owners Michael and Joy Signa, "(village officials) are trying their best to put the community first by making sure properly regulated companies serve our area.
"We look forward to work with the local government and Police Department to create the safest transportation environment," they added.
Mayor James Purcell urged all taxi companies and car services to attend this meeting to receive all of the new information on how operations will ne affected.