Start date of service unknown
A new taxi service was approved for Healdsburg by the city council at its Dec. 4 meeting. Acting on a staff recommendation, the council issued a permit and approved a “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity” for Blue Moon Taxi. The staff report noted that “current rideshare options do not meet all of the public’s needs.”
At the end of 2016, AC taxi, (doing business as Healdsburg Taxi) closed its cab doors, leaving Healdsburg without taxi service. Services like Uber and Lyft, as well as the limousines and tour buses preferred for wine-tasting excursions, challenge local taxicabs to exist on short, local fares.
Healdsburg is ready for another taxi service. Healdsburg Police Lt. Matt Jenkins said that he had been approached by the public, local businesses and hospital administrators to inquire about taxi service. Healdsburg District Hospital administrators told Jenkins they had no choice but to set up an Uber and Lyft hospital account because there had been no taxi service in Healdsburg since last December.
Carla Howell, executive director of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau said the hospitality community, which is the hotels, restaurants, visitors center and tasting rooms are aware of Blue Moon Taxi’s existence.
“Uber and Lyft are available in Healdsburg and now we’ll have the Blue Moon Taxi available,” explained Howell. “So from here at the visitors center or from many of the lobbies of the hotels and restaurants, they’re aware of all of these services that are available and they can recommend any of those for someone who wants to get home. And we suggest that people not drink and drive. Please do call a taxi or a ride service to take you back to your hotel or your lodging, wherever you’re staying.”
“The older population is not as adept at handling something like Uber or Lyft because it requires having an app on your telephone,” said Howell. “Many people who are older don’t have the kind of phone they need or don’t have the ability to manipulate the phone to get Uber or Lyft.” She said also that seniors prefer a cash transaction. Uber and Lyft do not allow cash transactions.
“Picking people up from the hospital, taking them to and from doctor appointments, taking them to and from the grocery store,” explained Howell. “I think those are the kinds of services that a taxi can provide in a small town like Healdsburg.”
Lt. Jenkins prepared the staff report that recommended approval of Blue Moon Taxi owner James Hooper to operate in Healdsburg. The recommendation required a thorough background check of Hooper.
The staff report states that Hooper “meets standards that are consistent with operating a taxicab service.” The report also states that Hooper had “submitted copies of his vehicle liability insurance certificates, which show that he meets the minimum standards for the City.”
The application, presented last August, also required Hooper to prove that he is financially responsible and of good moral character.
At press time, Hooper said he was not ready to make a statement about his start date in Healdsburg.
