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Commission schedules disciplinary hearing after taxi fare complaint; Volunteer Cab suspended driver pending hearing
Summary
Following a verified complaint from a rider, the commission voted to hold a disciplinary hearing after staff reported Volunteer Cab suspended the driver for one week and offered a full refund; the complainant declined the refund and sought revocation of the driver’s permit.
The commission agreed to set a disciplinary hearing after staff presented a verified complaint by Duane Brown alleging an overcharge on a short downtown ride.
According to staff, the passenger was charged $35 for a roughly 3‑mile trip that should have cost about $22; Volunteer Cab suspended the driver for one week and offered a full refund, but the complainant rejected that remedy and asked the commission to seek revocation of the driver’s permit. Staff said this was the first verifiable complaint on record for that driver during their tenure.
Commissioners discussed whether the administrative steps taken by the company were sufficient or whether a formal disciplinary hearing was required to determine intent (for example, whether a misleading receipt reflected an intentional deception). The commission voted to hold a hearing (to be noticed and scheduled in February) so the panel can consider evidence and make a formal determination.
Representative quotes: "It appeared to be a $35 flat rate charge... Approximately should have been about a $22 fare," staff said when summarizing the complaint. Commissioners noted the company had already taken internal disciplinary action but said the complainant’s insistence on a hearing justified official review.
Outcome: Motion to hold a disciplinary hearing was approved; staff will provide procedural guidance on whether affidavits suffice as evidence if the complainant cannot attend in person.
