(KAIR)--Atchison’s city commission has decided to revisit its taxi cab insurance requirements. 

The decision comes after St. Joseph based taxi service owner Phil Wallick said he was interested in starting a cab service in Atchison, but was unable due to the insurance requirements. Wallick brought his concerns forward during the public forum portion of Jan. 19th’s city commission meeting.

“That’s something I could not do and wouldn’t do,” Wallick said in reference to the amount of insurance he would have to pay. “I’m not sure that you would get any cabs in this town to transport drunks safely from the bars and just for people who need rides.”

Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking said he’s been working with Wallick, and he agrees the current rates may prohibit him from starting business in town. 

Cocking said the taxi ordnance was passed back in 2010 when the city manger’s office received complaints from citizens about accidents involving taxis that didn’t have insurance.

But not having any cabs in town could create issues for citizens as well, Cocking said.

“We know around nine percent of our adult population in Atchison doesn’t have access to a vehicle which makes alternative transportation such as cabs very important to Atchison,” Cocking said. “It’s something we think serves our citizens.”

Wallick said his service would also be open for late night pick ups which Cocking felt would help promote safety and help to prevent potential drunk drivers.

Cocking hopes to bring a proposal before the commissioners relaying his findings about what it would mean for Atchison to lower insurance requirements for taxis at the next city commission meeting.