Book Description

This thesis further highlights how regulations arise in the policy-making process; and to what extend they stem from either anti-competitive interests between established firms, a lack of information among policymakers, or simply planners' failure to integrate taxis into a more comprehensive regional transportation system. Ultimately this thesis argues that some of Iowa City's taxicab regulations, particularly the liability insurance minimums for drivers, the terms of operation for dispatching, and the profiling of immigrant and small firm cabbies by ICPD are burdensome and unnecessary. Loosening of these restrictions would benefit small firm and drivers, the general consumer of taxi services, and compliment larger city planning goals in Iowa City, Iowa. Despite the costs and burdens, this thesis does not justify complete deregulation for Iowa City's transportation policy, particularly when case studies of such efforts have not always yielded positive benefits. Instead, this thesis advocates for "better regulation", to be enforced on a regional level, rather than at a municipal level.