1232014 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Amend Chapter 8 of Title 31 to adjust taxicab fare rates and eliminate certain other fees

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

 

The  Chairperson of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (Commission), pursuant to the authority set forth in section 6(a) and (d) of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code § 50-305(a) and (d)) (2009 Repl.)); section 105 of the 2005 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2023; D.C. Official Code § 50-381(a) (2011 Supp.)); Mayor’s Order 2007-231, dated October 17, 2007; Mayor’s Order 2009-104, dated June 15, 2009; and Mayor’s Order 2011-116, dated July 11, 2011, hereby gives notice of the intent to adopt amendments to section 801 (Passenger Rates and Charges) of chapter 8 (Operation of Taxicabs) of title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles for Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).

 

Proposed amendments will: (1) increase the “additional mile” rate from twenty-five cents ($0.25) per one sixth mile (1/6 mi.) to twenty-seven cents ($0.27) per one eighth mile (1/8 mi.) which represents a mileage rate increase from one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per mile to two dollars and sixteen cents ($2.16 )per mile (for both intra-city and interstate fares); (2) increase the waiting time rate from fifteen dollars ($15) per hour to twenty-five dollars ($25) per hour; (3) eliminate extra fees including  luggage fee, large bag fee, trunk fee, unenclosed animals fee, personal service fee,  additional passengers fee, and fuel surcharge fee and; (4) change the snow emergency rate into a flat fee.    

 

The Chairperson hereby gives notice of his intent to take final rulemaking action to adopt these proposed rules in not less than thirty (30) days after the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.

 

Chapter 8, OPERATION OF TAXICABS, of title 31, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations is amended as follows:

 

Section 801, PASSENGER RATES AND CHARGES, is amended as follows:

 

Subsection 801.3 is amended to read as follows:   

 

801.3               The regular metered fare rates for all trips within the District of Columbia and the Washington Metropolitan Area are as follows:

 

(a)        Three dollars ($3) upon entry (drop rate) and first one eighth (1/8) of a mile;

 

(b)        Twenty-seven cents ($0.27) for each one eighth (1/8) of a mile after the first one eighth (1/8) of a mile; and

 

(c)        The wait rate is twenty-five dollars ($25) per hour.

                    

Subsection 801.6 is amended as follows:

 

Paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (g)(1), (l), and (m) are repealed.

 

Section 804, SNOW EMERGENCY FARES, is amended as follows:

 

Subsection 804.1 is amended to read as follows:

 

804.1               During a snow emergency fare period, as may be declared by the Mayor or the Chairperson of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (Chairperson), a flat fee of ten dollars ($10) per trip within the District of Columbia or twenty  dollars ($20) per trip outside of the District of Columbia (Interstate) shall be added to the metered fare.

 

Subsection 804.2 is amended to read as follows:

 

804.2               Snow emergency fare periods shall begin at such times as the Mayor or the Chairperson makes a public announcement that snow emergency fares are authorized. The Chairperson shall make that announcement when informed by the Department of Public Works that it is necessary to dispatch snow plows. The Chairperson or the Mayor may also make an announcement under the following conditions:

 

(a)        It is snowing and there has been significant accumulation of snow on the streets;

 

(b)        The Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Public Works have informed the Chairperson or the Mayor that hazardous driving conditions exist throughout the city; or

 

(c)        Additional accumulation is predicted of such significant proportions that hazardous driving conditions are expected to persist for at least twelve (12) hours.

 

Subsection 804.4 is amended to read as follows:

 

804.4               Snow emergency fare periods shall automatically expire twelve (12) hours after they are declared in effect unless the Mayor or the Chairperson determines during the first twelve (12) hour period that the snow emergency fare shall be effective for an additional fixed period.

 

Subsection 804.5 is amended to read as follows:

 

804.5               If the original snow emergency fare period is extended, that decision shall be communicated in accordance with established Commission procedures.

 

Subsection 804.6 is repealed.

 

Subsection 804.10 is amended to read as follows:

 

804.10             During snow emergency periods, there shall be prominently displayed on the back of the front seat of the taxicab, and pointed out to the passenger by the driver, a sign in size and form prescribed by the Commission, which shall read as follows:

 

SNOW EMERGENCY FARE

 

DURING SNOW EMERGENCY FARE PERIODS, AS DECLARED BY THE MAYOR OR THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION, PASSENGERS SHALL ADD A FLAT FEE OF TEN DOLLARS ($10.00) PER TRIP WITHIN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR TWENTY DOLLARS ($20.00) PER TRIP OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (INTERSTATE) TO THE METERED FARE, NOT INCLUDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE EXTRA CHARGES OR SURCHARGES.

 

THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF SNOW EMERGENCY FARE PERIODS WILL BE PUBLICIZED ON OR IN RADIO, TELEVISION, OR NEWSPAPERS AND ON THE TAXICAB COMMISSION WEBSITE.

 

IF DISPUTES ARISE, THE PASSENGER(S) SHALL PAY THE FARE STATED BY THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVER MUST FURNISH A RECEIPT. THE PASSENGER(S) MAY FILE A COMPLAINT IN WRITING WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF PASSENGER RIGHTS POSTED IN THIS TAXICAB. THE COMPLAINT SHALL BE FILED WITH THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION.

 

 

Copies of the proposed rulemaking can be obtained at www.dcregs.dc.gov or by contacting Dena C. Reed, General Counsel and Secretary to the Commission, District of Columbia Taxicab Commission, 2041 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, S.E., Suite 204, Washington, D.C. 20020. All persons desiring to file comments on the proposed rulemaking action should submit written comments via e-mail to [e-mail] or by postal mail or hand delivery to the DC Taxicab Commission, 2041 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave., S.E., Suite 204, Washington, D.C.  20020, Attn:  Dena C. Reed, General Counsel and Secretary to the Commission, not later than thirty (30) days after the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.