Komfort Kabs back on city streets

Feb. 21--Komfort Kabs are rolling again in Owensboro.

Owner Rufus Morrow now has state authorization for temporary certification on three vehicles, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The final order for Komfort Kab Co. is being processed, and once it is approved, Morrow will be issued permanent plates, said Ryan Watts with the cabinet.

A call to the 1915 W. Third St. company's offices confirmed that it is operating the taxis.

Assistant City Attorney Steve Lynn said Thursday that OPD is still trying to confirm with the state that Morrow has what he needs to operate, but that he appears to have paperwork granting temporary certification.

Morrow had to halt his service in January when the city began its preinspection process of Komfort Kab and Yellow Cab as part of readying the implementation of a new taxi ordinance. Owensboro Police Department officers, who were conducting the inspections, discovered that the company's state certification had not been renewed.

The city commission passed an ordinance Jan. 7 that establishes taxicab standards for permits, operations, rates, identification, insurance requirements, cleanliness of taxicabs and inspections.

The newspaper has made numerous attempts to talk to Morrow without success.

Mayor Ron Payne led the efforts to pass a taxi ordinance after service complaints -- mostly about timeliness and cleanliness -- started increasing, he said. He also wanted to set standards similar to other cities to ensure that Owensboro's visitors who use cabs will get a good impression of the city. The measure will be a safeguard as Owensboro gets back into the convention business, he said.

Joy Campbell, 691-7299, [email protected]

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