City refers JJ’s Pedicabs rate request to Transportation Advisory Committee after operator seeks $5 fare

The City of Hot Springs board referred a request by Jason Bennett, operating as JJ’s Pedicabs, to raise his downtown per-person rate from $2 to $5 to the Transportation Advisory Committee for further review and recommendation.

City Clerk Harmony explained Bennett’s franchise allowed a $2 per person per three-city-block rate set in 2016; Bennett told the board he had not raised rates since then and asked to increase the rate to $5 “due to the rising cost of operation.” Bennett said, “Costs go up, tires, tubes, bearings, rims, equipment. If anyone’s noticed, my equipment has stepped up.”

Director Karen Garcia asked for documentation of the operator’s increased costs; Bennett offered to provide receipts, insurance statements and other records. Director Dudley Webb moved to refer the request to the Transportation Advisory Committee so the committee could review cost documentation and make a recommendation; the motion passed on roll call 4–3. Webb said the referral would allow the operator to submit receipts or comparative financial information and would give the board appropriate oversight before changing a regulated franchise rate.

Bennett told the board he operates other transportation services locally and that the pedicab business contributes to downtown tourism; he said his equipment and signage have been upgraded and that he maintains posted rates on his pedicabs. Director Marsha Dobbs Smith and others questioned whether a $5 downtown rate would deter riders; Bennett replied customers “love riding with us” but acknowledged price sensitivity.

The referral means the Transportation Advisory Committee will review the request, examine any submitted financial documentation and return a recommendation to the board. No rate change was adopted at this meeting; the matter will return to the board after the advisory committee’s review.