Tom Halsnik has been a limousine driver for 25 years, ever since he graduated college. Now, he is the owner of Black Pearl Limousine in Tampa.
“I enjoy it. I enjoy the customers. You know it’s a great feeling when people call you up the next day and say thank you,” Halsnik said. “They say they had a wonderful time and thanks for being reliable.”
Halsnik said he would like to thank them right back by offering discounts to frequent customers and deals during the off season and holidays.
“It makes sense for me, it makes sense for them, it encourages their loyalty,” Halsnik said.
But he’s not at liberty to do so because of a requirement by the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. It’s a rule that requires limo drivers to charge a $50 minimum, no matter how short the drive.
“History has shown around this country that when you erase a minimum fare, which separates a limousine and taxi business, the entire industry gets cannibalized,” said Kyle Cockream, the commission’s executive director.
Cockream said doing away with the rule would allow limo drivers to charge lower fares, thus competing with taxi cab services without being held to the same standards.
But while Cockream said it would eventually put cabs out of business, Halsnik and his attorney said that’s an unlikely scenario.
“If a company wants to give better deals to its customers, they should be allowed to do so,” said Justin Pearson, managing attorney with the Institute for Justice Florida Office.
Pearson said most major cities in the country have long since done away with the minimum fare rule, including New York City and Chicago.
As for the fate of the rule in Hillsborough County, it will be up to a judge to decide.
Halsnik filed a lawsuit back in 2013 and on Monday, a hearing was held at the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
All parties involved were able to express their side to the judge. The judge then asked for rebuttals from each, to be filed by the end of next week, before he makes a decision.