The vote signaled the city's intent to eventually reduce the number of taxicabs throughout the city and, more important, at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
New cabs would have to be no older than 5 years. And the three existing cab companies would no longer have a lock on the business.
Other companies would have a chance to compete for a city contract. There could be between two and four companies running cabs.
"A new day is coming," said Councilman Dave Buhler. "Let competition work a little bit here."
Cab drivers and company owners complained the city should first eliminate the illegal and so-called gypsy cab companies before reducing the number of legitimate cabs from 268 to 200. They also balked at the goal of the council to restrict the number of cabs waiting for fares at the airport in an effort to spread service throughout the city.
Cab driver George Eichert painted a picture of shivering visitors waiting for cabs after leaving their planes. Drivers' busiest months are between Christmas and the end of March, when they shuttle Sundance Festival-goers, conventioneers, skiers and snowboarders.
"Most days we will run out of cabs at the airport. This is certainly not the time to reduce the number of cabs at the airport," he said.
The number of cabs won't immediately drop; the airport director must now establish procedures. And it could take up to nine months before the city seeks bids from existing and new cab companies.
Thursday's changes were prompted by a study that found cab drivers' incomes are anemic because of the excess fleet; that cabs in the city are some of the oldest in the country at an average age between 10 and 14 years; and that patrons need better service.
Attorney Brian Johnson, representing all of the individual cab drivers, said the changes may be discriminatory, noting that many cab drivers are minorities. He raised other constitutional issues.
"We don't think you can manipulate the market and cause cabs to serve the area where there's not a serviceable demand," he added.
