A Nashville golf cart taxi service was suspended on Thursday by the Metro Transportation Licensing Commission for operating outside of the downtown area.

Joyride golf carts were suspended for 10 days effective Aug. 28 and placed on six months probation after that.

Golf carts are only allowed to taxi passengers around downtown, within the interstate loops.

But a driver was caught by Metro Councilman Bob Mendes driving down West End Avenue well outside the restricted area. Mendes snapped photos and filed the complaint with the commission.

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Transportation Licensing Commission Executive Director Billy Fields said golf carts are restricted to downtown for safety reasons.

"Being outside the boundaries is serious because of the speed of the vehicles," Fields said. "They're moving relatively slow downtown. When you get outside that area, we have much higher traffic, so that's why this is so serious."

Probation means that if any issues arise, the company will be back in front of the commission for possible disciplinary action, Fields said.

Joyride bashed the suspension, criticizing the move as an over-reaction, considering it was the company’s first complaint.

“This ruling puts over 80 full-time and part-time drivers without a job and without income on the busiest weekend left of the year,” said Joyride vice president of operations Danielle Wannemacher, adding that the company feels it is “unfortunate that 20,000 locals and visitors will not have the option of transportation for that last mile and will be forced to walk in 90 degree heat.”

Wannemacher cited studies done in other cities, including San Diego and Las Vegas, which she said have resulted in government funding supporting low speed vehicles.

She said the commission has been inconsistent by restricting golf carts and other slow moving vehicles to the downtown area.

“Joyride would like to see the city of Nashville and the (Transporation Licensing Commission) research how low speed vehicle companies like Joyride can actually improve traffic flow and help with the mayor’s transportation initiative.”

The city has previously taken steps to restrict hours of operation for golf carts and other slow-moving vehicles. Golf cart drivers must licensed by the city, similar to a taxi driver, Fields said.

As Nashville has exploded as a tourism destination, gimmicky taxi and tour services have followed. They include party buses, tractor pulls and pedal taverns. Metro's efforts to regulate one tractor service have been overruled by state government.

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Mendes said Metro Councilman Jeremy Elrod has been doing a good job bringing legislation to regulate slow moving vehicles in Nashville. Mendes said he was told at Thursday’s meeting his complaint was the first against a golf cart service.

After being told by Fields that the commission needs documented proof of a violation, Mendes said he seen golf carts driving outside the restricted area, but was never able to snap a photo. But in late June, he pulled over at the McDonald’s on West End and took a picture of a golf cart well outside the boundary.

While talking to The Tennessean on Friday, Mendes said he was passed by a golf cart at West End and 16th Avenue.

“This falls in the category of those of who work in the downtown area between the golf carts and the pedal taverns and the tractor pulls and there’s a boat that runs around downtown, it’s increasingly difficult to get around,” Mendes said. “Especially the times of going into work and coming back from work. I have definitely heard people complaining about the golf carts and they end up pretty far away from where they’re supposed to be. I’ve seen them personally and heard people complaining about them way out on 12South.”

In 2015, Joyride was sued by a woman who was injured in a golf cart accident. The two parties settled in March for an undisclosed sum.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.