NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — FOX 17 News continues to monitor local taxi companies who claim unlicensed drivers are taking away their business.

They have asked Metro’s Transportation Licensing Commission (TLC) for help, but say the only thing the city has done is raise fees.

We spoke to Nashvegas Cabs and they say it is a slap in the face that they are not getting any help from TLC and are now in danger of going out of business.

Shelly Williams is the operations manager for Nashvegas Cab. She says they are losing the battle with the TLC because the city isn’t doing enough to get unlicensed drivers off the roads.

“It breaks my heart for the drivers and also for the company that we work hard and strive for every day,” says Williams.

Williams says the TLC has restored its taxi fees to pre-pandemic levels and increased quarterly fees from $5 to $45 per vehicle. Annual fees have also been increased from $20 to $75 per vehicle.

She says that when you have 150 vehicles, the numbers quickly add up.

This is because unlicensed drivers, some of whom are from other states, charge higher fares.

“We are losing drivers because there are no rules, no payments, no things for these unlicensed drivers to deal with,” Williams adds.

The TLC told FOX 17 News that Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) parking enforcement officers have now been trained to monitor other areas, including the Entertainment District.

Instead of three, twenty officials are now responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations.

But Williams says the city still isn’t responding to her reports of unlicensed drivers. She adds it will take extensive coordination between TLC, Metro Police and NDOT to make a difference.

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