Thursday, March 28, 2024

Is there a double standard for Golf cart taxis in Carolina Beach?

The town's current ordinance does not specifically address golf carts or other low-speed vehicles.

Golf cart taxis in Carolina Beach have been permitted for the time being, but at least one taxicab driver is calling foul on the company not following the same rules (Port City Daily/Courtesy Town of Carolina Beach)
Golf cart taxis in Carolina Beach have been permitted for the time being, but at least one taxicab driver is calling foul on the company not following the same rules as traditional cabs. (Port City Daily/Courtesy Town of Carolina Beach)

CAROLINA BEACH — In the North Carolina the regulation of taxis falls on local municipalities; in Carolina Beach, a taxi ordinance sets rules for cabs to follow. But according to one taxi driver, that ordinance doesn’t apply to everyone.

According to Len Simpson of Ebb Tide Taxi, a new taxi service in the form of golf carts doesn’t have to adhere to the same rules as traditional motor-vehicle taxis.

Sun Fun Rentals in Carolina Beach recently launched its own golf cart taxi service offering rides around Carolina Beach for $5 per person, anywhere in the town. The service is not inherently unique to Carolina Beach though; in 2008, the town issued permits to Green Cab to operate its own golf cart taxi service.

“The code does not specifically address golf carts or low-speed vehicles (LSV) to act as taxis however we have issued permits for them to operate. They have to meet the same checks as a taxi except they are not required to have a meter. Taxi cabs used to have to be approved by (town council) prior to being issued a permit by the Police Department. That was still the case when Green Cab was permitted,” Assistant Town Manager Ed Parvin said in an email directed to Councilman Steve Shuttleworth.

During Tuesday’s council meeting Simpson voiced his concerns to town leaders and the public, and while he said he is not opposed to competition on the island, he is opposed to a company that does not follow the same rules he does.

“There’s a company on this island now that doesn’t adhere to all the rules and regulations of taxicabs. I own a taxicab, I know what it takes. I know the expense involved, there has to be a state-regulated, calibrated meter in each taxicab – they do not have this. There has to be a taxi license plate – they have none at all,” Simpson said.

In a letter to the Carolina Beach Police Department, Simpson further elaborated on the problems he has with the golf cart taxis.

“It is my understanding that to obtain a taxi permit here on the island you had to have a valid taxi license plate. Last evening … I saw two Sun Fun golf carts being used as a taxi service but had not license plates of any kind. Is there a double standard here?” Simpson asked.

New regulations

According to Parvin, the town is currently working to expand its code to include all vehicles for hire, not just taxis and rickshaws.

Proposed new requirements would include insurance, controlled substance exams, initial safety inspections, weekly inspections by operators, daily manifests, and mileage records, and a subsection to address taximeters and rates.

The topic will still have to go through the technical review committee where changes are possible, but Parvin said he expects to have a new code before Town Council this fall.

Note: Sun Fun Rentals did not respond to requests for comment on this story.


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