The state Public Utilities Commission has begun investigating a taxi company in response to a Rocky Mountain News story Wednesday about a disabled woman who waited more than two hours for a 1 1/2-mile cab ride home.

It wasn't her first such wait.

"This is clearly a violation of our rules. They're supposed to be there in 45 minutes," said PUC Director Doug Dean. "If this is occurring, which it appears be, it's unacceptable."

Cab companies that miss the 45-minute deadline to pick up a passenger within a 10-mile radius of the firm's terminal face a $275 fine for the first offense, Dean said. The fines double or triple for additional violations. For a pickup outside the 10-mile radius, the 45- minute deadline is increased four minutes for each additional mile.

"The public should call us about violations and let us know. Otherwise, we won't know these kinds of things are occurring," Dean said.

Metro Taxi did not respond to repeated requests for comment about the incident involving Psalm Shaw, 34, a student at Metropolitan State College of Denver who uses a wheelchair and crutches.

Shaw said she's had to wait nearly three hours for cabs, adding that cabbies sometimes never show up because her short trips pay little.

"My general reaction is I think that it's about time," Shaw said when told the PUC wants to talk with her. "I know very well that I'm not the only one affected by this. I've had cabbies just yell at me for being a short fare or having stuff to transport."

The story about Shaw's ordeal Tuesday sparked dozens of calls and e-mails to the newspaper, and other readers registered their comments on the RockyTalk Live online forum.

A 77-year-old woman said she has been left stranded by cabbies, and on one occasion, her oxygen tank ran out while she waited three hours for a ride.

RockyTalk participants exchanged horror stories and blasted cab companies.

"I quickly learned that attempting to hail a cab in Denver is always a lost cause, even at 2 a.m. on a frigid Saturday night," Mark B. posted, recounting an encounter one night with a cabbie who demanded $20 for a $7 fare.

Cab service will be debated during a hearing today on House Bill 1114 by Rep. Jerry Frangas, D-Denver, which pushes for tougher sanctions and partial deregulation of the taxi industry to encourage greater competition, which Frangas hopes will boost customer service, especially for seniors, the disabled and bar patrons who don't want to drink and drive.

Complaints

Complaints about cab service can be registered with the state Public Utilities Commission. Call 303-894-2070. Or e-mail the agency's Citizen Advocate at edo@dora.state.co.us

• Proposed taxi industry reform legislation, House Bill 1114, will be heard this morning by the House Transportation & Energy Committee in the old Supreme Court chambers, second floor of the Capitol.

gathrighta@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5486