There are currently six valid taxicab companies franchised to operate within the City of Sunnyvale. They are Yellow Cab Co. Peninsula, Computer Cab Company, Green Cab, Apple Cab, Net Cab.com and West Valley Cab. Silicon Valley Checker Cab Company previously operated with a valid franchise agreement, which expired on April 23, 2001. Santa Clara Cab and USA Express Cab are also in the process of renewing their franchise permits.

The term "non-exclusive franchise" as used in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code means that the City does not limit the number of like franchises in operation at one time. If an applicant meets the provisions as outlined in the Municipal Code, then the franchise to operate a taxicab service should be issued.

The City’s non-exclusive franchise requirements are derived from Municipal Code Chapter 5.36. It is unlawful to operate any taxicab in the City unless the owner applies for and obtains a franchise to do so. The City Council may deny a franchise to any applicant if it appears to its satisfaction that

1. The applicant has been convicted of certain criminal offenses.
2. The proposed color scheme or other insignia may tend to confuse the identification with other franchises already operating within the city.
3. Any other reasonable cause exists which, within the City Council’s sound discretion would render the proposed operation undesirable to the City of Sunnyvale.

The owner of Silicon Valley Checker Cab Company has submitted information and documentation to demonstrate compliance with each of the criteria identified in Municipal Code Chapter 5.36, as outlined below.

1. Sunnyvale Business Address – The local business address required by the code is 333 Cobalt Way Suite #107, Sunnyvale. This office will be open to the public from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The telephone number for this office is (408) 245-9272. Available at this office will be public taxi trip complaint forms and applications for taxicab drivers. Dispatching is done from the main office in San Jose.
2. Vehicles – Silicon Valley Checker Cab Company is the registered owner of 24 company owned vehicles, which have been identified for operations under this franchise. The taxicabs are identical in color schemes and markings; they are orange with the company name in yellow lettering on the door and checkerboards on the front fenders. The telephone numbers are printed on the rear fenders.
3. Taximeter – Each taxicab, which has been identified for operation under the franchise, is equipped with a taximeter which must be inspected annually by the Santa Clara County Sealer of Weights and Measures. Staff has been provided with the reports for the vehicles identified for this franchise agreement.
4. Insurance – A letter of valid insurance has been provided from Norton Insurance Service, Inc. in the amount of $1,000,000 for bodily injury and $1,000,000 for property damage. This insurance remains in effect and will remain so. The City of Sunnyvale is also named as additional insured with a 30-day prior notice of cancellation clause as required and the company understands that it may not operate without proper insurance.
   The City’s Risk and Insurance Manager, Barbara Coats, has reviewed and found that the letter meets the requirements of the municipal code.
5. Criminal History – A criminal history check of the applicant was conducted as required by code. The applicant has not been convicted of any felonies, narcotic violations, or crimes of moral turpitude as referenced in the Municipal Code.
6. Experience of Owner – The investigation has revealed that the applicants, Larry Silva and Donald Silva have been involved with the taxi industry for over twenty years. They currently operate Yellow Checker Cab Company in the south bay area, providing service to the San Jose International Airport as well as the Valley Transportation Authority.
7. Personnel – Individual drivers were not identified in the application, but each will be required to obtain a taxicab driver’s permit issued by the Department of Public Safety. Currently this company has sixteen (16) drivers with valid permits. There is nothing to indicate that the future applicants for taxicab driver permits will not meet the permit requirements. The applicant is also adhering to the random drug testing requirements as establish by State Law and is utilizing Schlim, McCabe & Associates for his Medical Review Officer Services.
8. Fees – The applicant has paid the required franchise application fee of $314.00. They are aware of the quarterly vehicle fees that are due during the month following the quarter the agreement is signed.
9. Fare Schedule – Silicon Valley Checker Cab Company will adopt the City’s maximum fare schedule.