Ridden in a town car lately? (Jack Bog's Blog)

Meter updates every 30 seconds. Click here for
an instant update.
Our complete Portland debt series linked here.

Clearance sale
The bojack bumper sticker -- only $1.50!

To order, click here.

Search this site

... or let Google look around our site -- including comments:

Custom Search

Excellent tunes -- free! And on your browser right now. Just click on Radio Bojack!

E-mail us here.

About

This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on August 6, 2009 1:09 PM. The previous post in this blog was Who needs cops when you can have condos?. The next post in this blog is Whoa-oh, here she comes. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

Clippings

E-mail, Feeds, 'n' Stuff

E-mail me

[What is this?]

« Who needs cops when you can have condos? | Main | Whoa-oh, here she comes »

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Ridden in a town car lately?

Me neither. But here's an interesting throwdown in progress among the town car operators, cabbies, and the City of Portland.

Posted at 1:09 PM | Permalink

Comments (10)

Ah, good times. I was a valet/bellhop for a downtown hotel back in my college days and both town car drivers and cabbies offered bribes/tips for an attempt to steer business to them. It was lots of fun and not even mildly cavalier and I can't recall a "fare" who got into a towncar when he didn't want to. Glad to see the City stepping in before things really get out of control.

Posted by dg | August 6, 2009 2:52 PM

I don't get it! Why aren't all these patrons using the Streetcar to get where they need to go?

Posted by MachineShedFred | August 6, 2009 3:08 PM

Why is the city restricting competition and driving up our costs?

Thanks
JK

Posted by jim karlock | August 6, 2009 3:39 PM

"Why is the city restricting competition and driving up our costs?

Thanks
JK"

Ha, this is nothing new..... Cable TV, garbage haulers, etc... I guess that old school capitalism with competition died around the same time liberal Repubnicants did.

Posted by LucsAdvo | August 6, 2009 4:42 PM

Does anyone know the rationale behind the regulation? Isn't there some kind of prohibition on City involvement in free market competition. Say the commerce clause? Just don't seem riite.

Posted by genop | August 6, 2009 5:10 PM

It's not about restricting competition, Jim, it's about maintaining a level playing field.

Taxis are far more regulated than anyone (they can't refuse fares, for example) and it's unfair for anyone to "tip" their way to grabbing the most lucrative fares (and taking ONLY the best fares).

It's about everyone making a decent living, and having and maintaining safe and viable transportation choices.

Posted by Frank Dufay | August 6, 2009 5:13 PM

ALAMO RENT-A-CAR, INC, v. SARASOTA-MANATEE AIRPORT 906 F.2d 516, (11th Cir. 1990)
The reservation requirement, however, does run afoul of the commerce clause. Although the burden on interstate commerce created by the reservation requirement is not great, we can discern no local purpose that the requirement is designed to serve, nor are "putative local benefits" proffered by the Authority. See Minnesota v. Clover Leaf Creamery Co., 449 U.S. 456, 101 S.Ct. 715, 728-29, 66 L.Ed.2d 659 (1981); Pike v. Bruce Church, Inc., 397 U.S. at 142, 90 S.Ct. at 847; Executive Town and Country Services, 789 F.2d at 1526-27.

Posted by genop | August 6, 2009 6:11 PM

Certainly all the future occupants of the convention center hotel will be thrilled to know they cannot legally take a town car unless they have planned at least 61 minutes ahead. Well, I guess they could take a horse-drawn carriage since those apparently aren't regulated...

Posted by punxsutawney phil | August 6, 2009 9:19 PM

Frank Dufay: It's not about restricting competition, Jim, it's about maintaining a level playing field.
JK: Don’t make me laugh - how about the city setting their rates? Is that a level playing field? Sounds like a sweet insider deal to me. The city doesn’t set food prices at the supermarket, why should they set taxi fares?

Frank Dufay: Taxis are far more regulated than anyone (they can't refuse fares, for example) and it's unfair for anyone to "tip" their way to grabbing the most lucrative fares (and taking ONLY the best fares).
JK: Maybe they are too regulated. Maybe we need to let them freely compete with town cars, limos, jitneys and Trimet. Only then will we get lower costs AND better service.

Frank Dufay: It's about everyone making a decent living,
JK: Why should the city guarantee any business a profit in the guise of “a decent living”. Should the city also guarantee a profit to Fred Meyer? Walmart? Homer Williams (oops, I forgot, they practically do!)

Frank Dufay: and having and maintaining safe and viable transportation choices.
JK: This is a completely separate issue as the airline’s stellar safety record, even when losing money, shows us.

Thanks
JK

Posted by jim karlock | August 6, 2009 9:42 PM

I think the regulations are really about protecting the City's image. Got to make sure the innocent and defenseless visitors to our fair City are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous cabbies and predatory Town Car drivers.

Posted by dg | August 7, 2009 11:33 AM

In Vino Veritas

Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
Cameron, Chardonnay
B.R. Cohn, Cabernet, Silver Label 2006
Graffigna, Cabernet 2005
Palo Alto, Reserve Red 2008
Menguante, Garnacha 2008
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Felsina Berardenga, Vin Santo 1997
Anne Amie, Pinot Gris 2009
McKinley Springs, Bombing Ramge Red 2007
Vieux Papes Red
Dionysius Chardonnay 2009
Haden Fig, Pinot Noir 2009
Vega Montan, Mencia 2008
Chateau la Vernede, Coteaux du Languedoc 2007
Mount Defiance, Hellfire (White) 2008
Root: 1, Cabernet 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Pinot Grigio 2009
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 White, 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 Rose, 2007
Abacela, Grenache Rose 2009
Avia Cabernet 2004
Lemelson Pinot Noir, Thea's Selection 2007
Chateau de la Roulerie, Rose d'Anjou 2009
Casal Garcia, Vinho Verde Rose
La Ferme Julien, Rose 2008
Cana's Feast, Bricco Red, 2006
Hogue, Genesis Merlot, 2008
Owen Roe, Sharecropper's Cabernet, 2008
Kim Crawford, Unoaked Chardonnay 2008
J. Scott, Pinot Noir 2008
Edmunds St. John, White, Heart of Gold 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2006
Stevenot, Cabernet, Sierra Foothills, "Stanford" 2000
Portuga, Vinho Rose 2009
Taylor Fladgate, First Estate Reserve Porto
Franciscan, Cabernet, Napa 2006
Chaparral de Vega Sindoa, Garnacha 2008
Quinta da Aveleda, Vinho Verde 2008
St. Francis, Chardonnay Sonoma 2008
E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, 2007
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Noir 2008
St. Innocent, Pinot Noir 2006
Jigsaw, Pinot Noir 2007
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Indian Wells 2007
Charles Shaw, Chardonnay 2008
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Rosé 2009
Cameron, Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Il Valore, Sangiovese, Giovane, Puglia 2008
Duck Pond, Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope 2007
Kim Crawford, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Domaine du Pesquier, Cotes du Rhone 2005
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006
Domaine Matrot, Chardonnay, Bourgogne 2007
David Hill, Oregon Sparkling Wine, Brut
Chandler Reach, Monte Regalo 2006
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2008
Kirkland, Columbia Valley Merlot 2008
D'Aragon, Old Vine Garnacha 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2005
Pavin & Riley, Merlot 2006
David Hill, Estate Pinot Noir, Barrel Select 2006
Castle Rock, Paso Robles Cabernet 2006
Magnificent, Cabernet, Steak House 2008
Conundrum 2008
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Saint Cosme, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
La Granja, Tempranillo 360, 2008
Santa Rita, Mendalla Real Cabernet 2006
Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot 2006
Andezon, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Collegiata, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Troon, Druid's Fluid 2008
La Granja, Tempranillo 2008
Monte Antico, Toscana 2006
Vieux Papes, Blanc de Blancs

The Occasional Book

Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 54
At this date last year: 50
Total run in 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269