An overture

to regulate transportation companies operating in Peachtree City should

first be studied by the city attorney and the police department, council

decided at its meeting last week.

Eric Zinck

of Peachtree City Limousine said some transportation companies in Peachtree

City are operating while uninsured and under-insured. He also alleged

that some companies aren't meeting guidelines from the Georgia Public

Service Commission that call for signs indicating the company's name,

place of origin and phone number.

City Attorney

Rick Lindsey said that the PSC might "preempt" cities from enforcing

those rules, which are state regulations and not state law.

"As it

stands now, our police cannot enforce these issues," Lindsey said.

Lindsey said

he would research the matter more, but he was not sure if the city could

actually enforce the PSC's rules.

"My gut

feeling is that this is a matter for the Public Service Commission and

should be heard by the PSC," Lindsey said.

Zinck said

that a "transportation alliance" consisting of three legally

operating companies in Peachtree City was seeking that the rules be enforced

to protect local citizens.

Zinck gave

Lindsey a copy of an ordinance adopted by the city of Forest Park, but

Lindsey said that ordinance appeared to govern only taxicabs.

Some companies

aren't operating with all the permits they need, and some of the drivers

for those companies aren't aware of certain safety issues, Zinck alleged.

Lindsey said

he has already contacted the PSC for information, and while talking to

a PSC employee he was asked if the complaints were about Phoenix Star

Transportation.

Stuart Hoff

of Phoenix Star said he took exception to Zinck's comments and his company

is licensed by the PSC and the Georgia Department of Transportation. He

also said that Phoenix Star is the only company that "gets up around

four and five o'clock in the morning" to take local residents to

the airport.

Councilman

Robert Brooks suggested that Zinck meet with the Police Department to

explain his concerns while Lindsey evaluates whether the city could adopt

such an ordinance. Council unanimously passed a motion to that effect.

Hoff said he

wants to be included in those meetings to provide input.