Detroit Towing Companies Denounce Bing Administration Plan

DETROIT (WWJ) - Local tow truck drivers say they're outraged over the Bing Administration's plans to revamp Detroit's troubled towing business.

Mayor Dave Bing is considering increasing towing and storage fees and hiring a private company to manage towing in the city. He is also turning storage responsibilities over to the city's municipal parking department.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Florence Walton reports Detroit tow truck companies have banded together as many owners fear changes could cost them thousands of dollars.

"All of us have went out and invested in expanding our lots to accommodate the city and spent numerous amounts of dollars to do this," said Detroit Authorized Towing Association co-founder Barry Foster. "Then at the end of the day we're hearing that the city is not going to use our lots anymore to accommodate storage of vehicles."

Association President Julie Semma said her organization of 24 local towing businesses is working on further improvements including the use of software that will dispatch tow truck drivers and help vehicle owners locate their cars.

She hopes city leaders will reconsider their plan.

An estimated 200,000 vehicles are towed each year in Detroit.