City council went ahead Monday night with third and final reading of its new taxi bylaw despite continued objections from a local driver who runs his own company.

Members of council suggested rewriting the bylaw has been an extensive two-year exercise.

During the process, the city has bent over backwards gathering input and accommodating the interests of the general public and local cab companies, council members indicated.

Ron Pumphrey, however, reminded council again last night how the new bylaw will put him and other one- and two-car operations out of business.

Forcing taxi companies to be anchored by a central dispatcher will ultimately reduce the degree of competition, he said.

Pumphrey told council he should be allowed to continue operating his business with his hands-free Bluetooth cell phone. That would enable him to make arrangements to provide contact information to a third party if he goes beyond the built-up areas of the city.

His business, he insisted, is unique, and his clients like the personal service he provides.

Pumphrey said his customers have told him city council needs a reality check.

Taxi companies have a year to comply with the requirement for a central dispatcher.

The call for a dispatcher arose out of concerns raised about safety for the driver and members of the public, it's been emphasized by city bylaw manager Dave Pruden.

Pumphrey told council he has no interest in growing his two-car fleet to the point where it could support a dispatcher.

"By closing the door on the small businessman that is trying to raise the bar, you are shooting yourself in the foot and going against the whole reason for this review,” Pumphrey told council before it approved the revised bylaw.

The 119 sections of the bylaw deal with everything from minimum fares to ensuring each vehicle for hire passes a mechanical fitness twice a year.

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