News Roundup

CityBusiness

by Richard A. Webster
September 30, 2009

Rickshaw company could face uphill battle in New Orleans

More than nine years after the city killed Turtle Taxi, its last rickshaw-based business, “PJ” Patrick James Lynch is ready to give it another go.

Lynch, a former manger and operator of Charleston Bike Taxi in South Carolina, left the company, packed his belongings in the back of his car and moved to New Orleans in July with the intention of resurrecting pedicabs in the Big Easy.

“There are over 100 cities in the U.S. that have these and there is no city more perfect for it than New Orleans,” Lynch said. “This is a flat city that is heavily based on tourism. Plus the speed limit isn’t fast on most roads so it’s safe. Over the last two years it seems like, from a tourism perspective, New Orleans is really coming back and I want to get on board.”

Lynch has the support of a variety of neighborhood organizations, including the Downtown Development District, the French Quarter Business Association, the Magazine Street Merchants Association, the Oak Street Business Association and the Urban Conservancy.

But Lynch will be going up against the taxi cab companies who were instrumental in defeating Turtle Taxi and are prepared to go to the mat to defeat any new venture that could possibly cut into their business, said United Cab Co. President Pat Murphy.

Turtle Taxi ran into that same buzz saw after it opened in May 1999. After initial votes of support, the city abruptly switched gears, deemed the pedicabs a public safety hazard and ordered them off the road. Turtle Taxi closed one year after it opened.

When council members suggested revisiting the idea on a trial basis in 2001, cab drivers issued a warning that they would come out in force to oppose any such move.

Lynch knows the history and what he is up against.

“People say there are safety and congestion concerns, but it’s just a smokescreen to protect the taxi cabs,” he said.

In order to make New Orleans Bike Taxi a reality, Lynch has to get the city to adopt an ordinance under the “vehicle for hire” section specifically for pedicabs. His ordinance would create 60 permits: 30 Uptown and 30 downtown. One business could obtain as many as 20 permits.

To pass the ordinance, Lynch has to first go before the council’s Ground Transportation Committee which consists of council members Cynthia Willard-Lewis, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and James Carter. Unless there are any objections, the committee will pass it on to the full council for consideration. The next Ground Transportation Committee meeting will be held Oct. 27 in City Council chambers.

Lynch hopes to obtain permits for 20 pedicabs he will operate in the Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter, Central Business District and Uptown. He will charge a flat rate of $4 to $4.50 per person.

Each rickshaw will come equipped with flashing lights, reflective paint, seat belts and enhanced breaks. They will not be allowed on roads with speed limits of 30 mph or higher.

Lynch said it is unfair to suggest that just because the city chose to shut down Turtle Taxi nearly 10 years ago his idea can’t work today.

“Back then the Taxicab Bureau was blown up for being one of the most corrupt offices in the city,” he said. “And then Katrina happened. It’s a whole different environment now. It’s insane to say what didn’t work back then can’t work now.”•