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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 31. TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE |
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Chapter 31-16. DISPATCH SERVICES AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB INDUSTRY CO-OP |
Section 31-1603. TELEPHONE DISPATCH SERVICES - OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
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1603.1Each telephone dispatch service shall operate in compliance with this title and other applicable laws.
1603.2Each telephone dispatch service shall be licensed to do business in the District of Columbia.
1603.3Each gratuity charged by a telephone dispatch service shall comply with the definition of “gratuity”.
1603.4Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with the requirements for passenger rates and charges set forth in § 801.
1603.5Each telephone dispatch service shall provide a passenger seeking wheelchair service with such service, when available, and if not available through the telephone dispatch service, shall make reasonable efforts to assist the passenger in locating available wheelchair service through another source within the District.
1603.6Where a telephone dispatch service shares a request for wheelchair service with another person, the passenger’s destination shall not be provided.
1603.7Each telephone dispatch service shall maintain a customer service telephone number for passengers with a “202” prefix or a toll-free area code, posted on its website, which is answered or replied to promptly during normal business hours.
1603.8Each telephone dispatch service shall maintain a website with current information that includes:
(a) The name of the telephone dispatch service;
(b) Contact information for its bona fide administrative office or registered agent authorized to accept service of process;
(c) Its customer service telephone number or email address, and;
(d) The following statement prominently displayed:
and
(e)A link to § 801 allowing passengers to view applicable rates and charges.
1603.9Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with §§ 508 through 513.
1603.10Each telephone dispatch service shall provide its service throughout the District.
1603.11Each telephone dispatch service shall perform the service agreed to with a passenger in a dispatch, including picking up the passenger at the agreed-upon time and location, except for a bona fide reason specified by § 819.5 or other applicable provision of this title.
1603.12Protection of certain information relating to passenger privacy and safety.
(a)A telephone dispatch service shall not:
(1)Release information to any person that would result in a violation of the personal privacy of a passenger or that would threaten the safety of a passenger or an operator; or
(2)Permit access to real-time information about the location, apparent gender, or number of passengers awaiting pick up by a person not authorized by the telephone dispatch service to receive such information. Where a telephone dispatch service shares a request for wheelchair service with another person pursuant to § 1603.5, the passenger’s destination shall not be provided.
(b)This subsection shall not limit access to information by the Office or a District enforcement official.
1603.13A telephone dispatch service shall not transmit to the operator any information about the destination of a trip, except for the jurisdiction of the destination, until the trip has been booked. Where a telephone dispatch service shares a request for wheelchair service with another person pursuant to § 1603.5, the passenger’s destination shall not be provided.
1603.14Each telephone dispatch service shall store its business records in compliance with industry best practices and all applicable laws, make its business records related to compliance with its legal obligations under this title available for inspection and copying as directed by the Office, and retain its business records for five (5) years.
1603.15Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with all applicable provisions of this title and other laws regulating origins and destinations of trips, including all reciprocal agreements between governmental bodies in the Washington Metropolitan Area governing public vehicle-for-hire service such as those in § 828.
1603.16A telephone dispatch service shall not transmit to the operator any information about the destination of a trip, except for the jurisdiction of the destination, until the trip has been booked.
1603.17Each telephone dispatch service shall store its business records in compliance with industry best practices and all applicable laws, make its business records related to compliance with its legal obligations under this title available for inspection and copying as directed by the Office, and retain its business records for five (5) years.
1603.18Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with all applicable provisions of this title and other laws regulating origins and destinations of trips, including all reciprocal agreements between governmental bodies in the Washington Metropolitan Area governing public vehicle-for-hire service such as those in § 828.