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Bacon asked why Pride Midwest thought there is a need <br /> for a second cab company. S. Antonacci responded with only <br /> one company, citizens do not have a choice. P. Antonacci, <br /> president, stated his father was a good friend with Leiby <br /> Hall (former owner of Decatur Yellow Cab) . He added Decatur <br /> and Springfield are similar cities and Springfield has <br /> several companies each with a number of vehicles in service. <br /> Bacon inquired if the Decatur business is intended to <br /> be separate from the Springfield business. P. Antonacci <br /> responded affirmatively. <br /> Bacon asked what kinds of complaints do you get about <br /> service in Springfield. P. Antonacci responded it would not <br /> be the service it would be the appearance of drivers. We <br /> are now screening the drivers before hiring them. There <br /> have been no complaints relative to time. <br /> Bacon inquired if the Decatur rate schedule is <br /> comparable to Springfield. V. Holmes responded Springfield <br /> is approximately $1.50 higher. <br /> Bacon asked Meyers if there had been any comments about <br /> the livery company the Antonacci's operate in Decatur. <br /> Meyers responded she has not received any comments. <br /> P. Antonacci informed Mr. Bacon he has received two <br /> letters of support, one from the Decatur Airport. <br /> Bacon asked besides the obvious change from the closing <br /> of one cab company here, what has changed relative to the <br /> market in Decatur. Both V. Holmes and P. Antonacci <br /> responded they have been here since April, 1990. Bacon <br /> asked had their expectations been met now that they have <br /> operated the livery business. Gene Carpenter responded the <br /> demand has grown beyond their initial expectations. He <br /> talked about revenues and also mentioned various firms they <br /> do business with on a regular basis. <br /> Bacon asked Carpenter if, at the last hearing, he <br /> remembered the number of people who testified relative to <br /> the number of drivers. Carpenter responded he did and added <br /> he had been a cab driver for many years and he doesn't want <br /> to be negative about others. However, people have commented <br /> about the appearance of drivers, about cabs being late or <br /> just not showing up. Carpenter added he spoke with Bob <br /> Reed, mass transit administrator, about a survey he <br /> conducted on the subsidized taxicab program. Reed informed <br /> him over 50% of the respondents stated they were <br /> dissatisfied with the current company. <br /> Bacon stated the applicant needs to provide information <br /> which will be helpful to the City Council. The last time <br /> this appeared before Council, one of Council's arguments was <br />