In an effort to accommodate public interest, the drawing to determine which of the potential applicants may apply for 100 new City of Milwaukee taxi cab permits will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17 at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Centennial Hall, 733 N. 8th St.
The License Division of the City Clerk’s Office has received 1,706 “intent to apply” forms.
The addition of 100 new taxi cab permits to the city’s existing pool of 320 was among the reforms championed by Alderman Robert Bauman to increase the quality and quantity of cab service in the city.
Per legislation approved in November, the lottery drawing will be held to determine which of the applicants from the pool of 1,706 “intent to apply” forms will actually be allowed to apply for a permit this year.
Beyond the first 100 applicants, the lottery will determine the order in which new permits are issued as they become available.
“Those who opposed issuing these new permits did so on the grounds that there wasn’t sufficient demand for taxi service,” Alderman Bauman said.
“But it appears as though there are plenty of potential taxi drivers and operators who disagree.”
Potential taxi cab permit applicants are invited to attend the drawing in person on Monday.
Media coverage will also be accommodated.
Those who qualify to apply in the first group of 100 will be notified by mail whether or not they are present.
