Nonprofit taxi service may be Whitefish option

At the suggestion of Montana Public Service Commissioner Ken Toole, a Whitefish citizens group is exploring the option of starting a nonprofit taxi service for the resort community.

A nonprofit service is one of three options that emerged from a second meeting held last week to find a solution for Whitefish’s lack of taxi service. Also under consideration are subsidizing either a new transportation provider or the existing transportation provider, Flathead-Glacier Transportation.

It’s been about five months since Josh and Peggy Hertlein closed their taxi company in Whitefish. Flathead-Glacier Transportation, which operates a countywide taxi service, is essentially the only other  for-profit taxi provider in the area. Hotels and resorts can transport their customers around town or to the airport, but serve a limited group.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status can operate taxi services and aren’t regulated by the Public Service Commission. By going the nonprofit route, a taxi service wouldn’t be subject to delays from protests that could be filed with the state, Toole told the group via a conversation with Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau Director Jan Metzmaker.

Toole has offered to come to Whitefish in January to speak with the group.

Several groups have nonprofit status, including the Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and Heart of Whitefish, but it’s not clear whether any of these organizations could undertake a taxi service under their current bylaws, according to meeting minutes provided by Metzmaker.

Questions still unanswered are whether any federal regulations would apply regarding handicapped access, whether businesses or individuals can receive a tax deduction for donating and whether the nonprofit groups can accept grants.

One of the benefits of a nonprofit service would be cost flexibility. Since it wouldn’t be regulated, it could use sliding-fee scales.

The group agreed it will need legal advice as it works through its options.

WITH THE New Year’s Eve holiday little more than two weeks away, the group recognized the need for an interim plan and wondered if local churches could provide volunteer drivers that night, one of Whitefish’s biggest party events of the year.

Citizens pointed to two disparate groups that need 24-hour transportation services — the elderly, disabled and general public, and the late-night bar crowd.

“Perhaps we need cars with the ability to separate drivers from drunks,” the minutes indicate in discussion about driver safety. “Also need cars that can be hosed out easily ... drivers will need special training and must be very patient individuals.”

Don Hines, a former local taxi provider, told the group he is applying for a countywide taxi permit and asked group members to call the state commission and stress that the service is needed in the Flathead Valley.

The group intends to develop a questionnaire to gauge the level of interest in the business community of funding or subsidizing a taxi service.

 Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com