More cabs approved for MAGIC trade show

It’s just like old times.

Now that convention attendance has started to rebound, regulators who oversee the city’s taxi industry have become more receptive to allowing additional taxis on the streets during large trade shows, much to the chagrin of cab drivers who would prefer that the number of cabs stay the same.

The latest example: Tuesday’s unanimous approval by the Nevada Taxicab Authority to allow as many as 160 additional cabs during August’s Men’s Apparel Guild in California fashion trade show.

MAGIC Marketplace, as the show is commonly known, will bring an estimated 80,000 conventioneers to the city Aug. 18-20.

The board approved five additional cabs per 12-hour shift for the three days. Since there are 16 companies operating in Southern Nevada, that could mean an additional 160 cabs, although some of the smaller companies probably won’t take their full allocation.

Only the Industrial, Professional and Technical Employees union voiced opposition to the allocation plan. Every cab company representative supported the increase.

“I think we need to err on the side of caution in a case like this,” said board member Dean Collins. “We need to demonstrate to conventioneers that we have the firepower to provide this service.”

Historically, attendees of the MAGIC show have been enthusiastic taxi customers, using cabs more frequently than show shuttle buses or the Las Vegas Monorail.

So far in 2014, taxi rides have increased over 2013 levels, mirroring a general improvement in the city’s tourism economy.

For the first six months of the year, the number of taxi trips is up 5.3 percent to 11.9 million rides. In the month of June, the number of trips was up 2.8 percent to 2.5 million and revenue per trip was up 2.6 percent to $14.83 per ride.

Generally, cab drivers through their unions oppose all special cab allocations because they believe there are enough vehicles to adequately serve the population. Any additional cabs on the road cut into their potential income, they say.

The Taxicab Authority also approved the allocation of two extra cabs per company to serve Laughlin Aug. 8-10 for the annual Laughlin River Regatta. This year’s event will include the launch of inner tubes, floats, kayaks and barges on the Colorado River between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow him on Twitter @RickVelotta.