Motor-vehicle-for-hire administrator briefs council on permits, driver vetting and fleet counts

Ken Fain, administrator for motor-vehicle-for-hire regulatory oversight, briefed the Biloxi City Council on the program that regulates taxis, car services and small shuttles across participating coastal jurisdictions under an interlocal agreement. Why it matters: The office issues driver, vehicle and company permits, conducts background checks and drug screens, and enforces permit suspensions or revocations to protect public safety. Fain reported the program currently oversees 13 licensed companies (one pending), about 118 active driver permits and approximately 85 permitted vehicles. He said the office requires background checks, annual driving records and annual drug screens for drivers and that it has recently denied or revoked permits in 11 cases for serious offenses. Council members thanked Fain for the oversight and had no new funding requests or substantive budget questions tied to the non-departmental review. The presentation concluded without action; the office will continue to report through the administrative budget process.