Miguel Baeza is the first of 25 taxicab drivers selected to receive a newly issued taxicab permit from the Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Taxicab Administration. Baeza successfully completed all necessary application and inspection processes and is now an official permit holder and proud owner of his own taxicab company.

Born in Mexico, Miguel Baeza came to San Diego in search of a better life. “I have been driving a taxi for other cab companies for almost 20 years,” said Miguel Baeza, one of 25 permit awardees. “I’ve worked very hard, and the opportunity to start my own cab company and make a better life for me and family is why I came to America."

The MTS Taxicab Administration began accepting Request for Proposal (RFP) applications on November 8, 2004 for drivers interested in receiving one of 25 taxicab permits being issued via this process. Over 500 applications were received. After an extensive evaluation process, the top 25 applicants were selected. New permits will be issued to each of the top 25 applicants upon successful completion of the final inspection process.

“Issuing new permits to qualified cab drivers provides added transportation accessibility and helps decrease the congestion on our roads,” said MTS CEO Paul Jablonski. “With over 13,000 taxicab trips per day in the San Diego region, it’s essential that these new permits be issued to meet the demand for this form of public transportation.”

Baeza, husband and father of three children, plans to name his new cab company M.B. Cab, which represents the initials from his first and last name. Former taxicab driver for USA Cab and Santiago ’s Cab, Baeza looks forward to providing quality cab rides and helping people to get around the busy streets of San Diego.

In August 2001, the San Diego City Council adopted a policy for the first time since 1984, approving the issuance of 135 new taxicab permits. Twenty-five percent of the 135 new permits will be issued via a lottery process. The first part of the lottery was held in June 2002. Another 50 percent are being issued via the RFP process, and the remaining 25 percent will be issued via an auction process to the highest bidders. Once all 135 new permits are issued, the total number of permits in the City of San Diego will increase to 1,005.

The MTS Taxicab Administration licenses and regulates taxicab, jitney, charter, sightseeing, low speed and non-emergency medical vehicles within the cities of San Diego, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, Santee, and  La Mesa. Administration responsibilities include determining owner eligibility, inspecting vehicles, issuing permits, monitoring compliance with administrative and operational regulations and investigating passenger complaints. The Taxicab Administration Office is located at 1501 National Avenue, Suite 1000, San Diego, CA 92113- 1029. For more information on how to obtain a new taxicab permit, call (619) 595-3081.