Taxi provider stripped of city franchise

The Rochester City Council voted on Wednesday to revoke a taxicab franchise from RST Taxi LLC (no affiliation to the airport) after the business failed to come into compliance with city rules.

The cab company, which was first granted the franchise in 2015, had not been meeting city requirements regarding insurance for its drivers. The city clerk’s office said RST Taxi also failed to comply with an ordinance that requires each franchisee to operate a minimum of 10 vehicles.

The company came under scrutiny in late December when one of its drivers was involved in an accident. The RST Taxi driver involved was cited by police for not having a city license. Police reports from that incident also outlined issues with obtaining insurance information from RST.

The owner of the company, Qudratullah Khan, did not attend Wednesday night’s public hearing. Records show that Qudratullah Khan took over ownership of the company from Sardar Khan in fall 2018.

business damaged in fire

A family-run market in Rochester suffered serious damage over the weekend. Today, its owners are still unsure what to do next.

Saigon-Far East Oriental Market, 3918 18th Avenue Northwest, was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning. According to a local TV report, electrical wires to the building were severed during the crash and a fire broke out — causing about $200,000 in damage.

The store’s owners are now talking with banks and insurance companies as they decide whether to reopen the store.

Sodara Lam, who took over the business from his parents Sesey and Den Lam in 2008, told the Post Bulletin that despite the sadness of losing the store, the family is grateful no one was injured or killed.

The market has been in the family since 2001.

Follow Sean on Twitter.