LETTERS: Taxi companies’ new service should welcome Uber competition
To the editor:
Local taxi operators are again trying to pull the wool over Las Vegans’ eyes. They recently took out a half-page ad touting, as they put it, Dedicated Residential Taxicab Service. They claim the service will promptly pick up riders from doctor’s offices, retail stores and entertainment centers. They also claim to have fashioned a system for pick-up similar to what Uber uses.
However, last December, the Review-Journal’s Richard Velotta reported on his experiences with taxis and Uber, before Uber was shut down here (“Which offers a better ride — taxi or Uber,” Dec. 6 Review-Journal online). Wait times for taxis were much longer than for Uber drivers, and the bottom line was that Uber beat out the taxicabs for price and service.
The large ad promoting taxi residential service appears to be a smokescreen to keep Uber and other ride-sharing companies out of Las Vegas, so that taxis can retain their monopoly in the transportation arena.
The Transportation Authority and taxi companies have had a stranglehold on residents of Las Vegas for decades as the only game in town. The taxi companies have been predisposed for years to ignore the average resident’s need for quality transportation to and from home, instead favoring tourists on the Strip. Taxi companies always tell residents that the cab is on its way, and then it never shows. What makes anyone think they will or can change their ways?
If the taxi authority and cab companies are serious about creating a pickup system similar to Uber and other ride-sharing companies, then they should be able to prove it by taking on the competition. If, in fact, taxis are faster and cheaper than Uber, the cab companies can demonstrate that. Riders like me will call the company that can pick up promptly, arrive when promised and deliver me to my destination courteously via the quickest route and the best price.
If taxis do more business in residential areas than Uber, then it will prove the cabbies can deliver. If not, other ride-sharing companies will make the money.
Lawmakers, we need Uber, Lyft and all other ride-sharing companies in Las Vegas. Choices are good.
BRADLEY KUHNS
LAS VEGAS
Oscar’s performance
To the editor:
I noticed that once again former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was unable to control an acidic tongue, when he said of his wife’s opponent after last month’s mayoral election, “He’s a piece of crap, this guy” (“Goodman scores goal,” April 8 Review-Journal). What an absurd comment, given the fact that Mr. Anthony is a former Metro police officer and currently an elected City Council member.
So Las Vegas hires “pieces of crap” to protect us, and its citizens elect “pieces of crap” to serve us. How nice. I suppose now Mr. Goodman can go home with Mayor Carolyn Goodman and celebrate the pinnacle of her political career, her wonderful re-election achievement — her victory over a “piece of crap.”
Or is it that simply disagreeing with Mr. Goodman makes someone a piece of crap?
PETER HASLEHURST
LAS VEGAS
Guardian abuses
To the editor:
As a senior citizen, I could not believe the headline on the cover of the April 12 Review-Journal: ‘The power to help, the power to abuse.” What shameful things this state and county do to our old and less fortunate.
Guardians were put in a position of trust, then used that power for their own financial gain by stealing the assets of those they were entrusted to help.
Jared Shafer is despicable. The audacity of this man to file a kidnapping charge to stop a daughter from trying to remove her father from the hands of this monster is unbelievable. Jon Norheim, guardian commissioner, is also culpable through his shameful decisions to deprive senior citizens of their due process rights. Shame on both of them and the people who put them in this position.
ARNIE BLAKEMAN
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Undignified discourse
To the editor:
Joseph Schillmoeller ended his letter (“Reid shows stripes in sacking Romney,” April 12 Review-Journal) by taking Sen. Harry Reid to task for his “Romney didn’t win, did he?” comment. Mr. Schillmoeller wrote: “Being major league includes acting with dignity and honor, not diving to the lowest common denominator.”
May I snarkily comment that, when I think of dignity and honor, what immediately pops into my head is the hard right in America. Think about it. Is there an insult that has not been thrown at the Obama administration or its allies? Is there a conspiracy theory too wild to ascribe to the political left?
The coarsening of political discourse is all around us. Righty radio competes to see who can hurl the most vile characterization of President Barack Obama. A little dignity would be a good idea.
ROY GROSSER
LAS VEGAS
Kudos for compassion
To the editor:
I just wanted to send a huge thank you for the article on working to end prostitution (“Fighting sex trade with cookies, care,” April 14 Review-Journal). The R-J presented a side of Las Vegas showing people who are both courageous and compassionate.
Kimberly De La Cruz did a great job on this story. Kathleen Quirk is a special kind of servant. Thank you for seeing the value of this great story.
JUDY HOWARD
NORTH LAS VEGAS
