By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Taxicab service is expected to continue in Whitewater in 2017 as part of a public-private partnership, though several changes could be on the horizon.
At a Common Council meeting Oct. 18, Doug Saubert, the city’s finance director, announced he was submitting a grant application request for the service, as he has done in the past, although the amount the city could receive in funding will almost certainly decrease.
In the past, the city and its contracted provider, Fort Atkinson-based Brown Cab Service Inc., were eligible to receive a 57.29 percent reduction in the total cost of the service through state and federal funding.
Saubert said several changes this past year have brought that grant reduction down to 56 percent.
Although Brown Cab’s service is open to anyone in the community, the amenity has been touted as a benefit to persons without their own means of transportation. Targeted population groups include students, seniors and persons with disabilities.
City officials have been working with Brown Cab to come up with a plan to ensure the taxicab service remains at a break-even point in 2017.
One of the most notable changes to frequent users will be the cost of the service. Based on the tentative proposal, plans are in motion to increase fares 25 cents before 10 p.m. Late night sessions would be a flat $4 per person.
Additionally, Brown Cab will likely cease offering discounts to seniors, persons with disabilities and students to help shore up the anticipated funding gap.
“Brown anticipates that these changes will close the gaps in funding,” Saubert said of the rationale behind the rate increases.
Saubert said Brown Cab has also proposed a few tweaks to its existing schedule to trim operational costs. If plans move forward as proposed, the city’s taxicab service will run three fewer hours next year from what is offered this year.
“This was accomplished through minor adjustments in the days of service and hours per day,” Saubert said.
Brown Cab’s service fluctuates, depending upon when the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is in session.
When students are on campus and classes are held, the service is available from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
When classes are not in session, Brown Cab runs fares from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Throughout the year, the service also is available Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., regardless of whether UW-Whitewater is in session.
In keeping with the terms of the public-private partnership, the city has a longstanding practice of contributing funds toward the service. Saubert has proposed chipping in an additional $340 out of the city’s operating budget.
This year, Whitewater contributed $8,154; under Saubert’s proposal, next year’s funding allocation would be $8,494.
City Administrator Cameron Clapper and the Common Council will discuss the increased funding during budget deliberations in coming weeks. A final decision on how much the municipality will contribute will be made in mid-November.
