204784 Amends Chapter 6, Section 601 to allow SUV taxicabs to continue to operate in the District for one year.

 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION

NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING

 

 

The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (“Commission”), by its Panel on Rates and Rules, pursuant to the authority set forth under §§ 8(b)(1)(C), (F), and (G) of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§50-307(b)(1)(C), (F), and (G)) (2001), hereby gives notice of the adoption of a new subsection 601.1A to Chapter 6, Section 601 of Title 31 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (“DCMR”). This rulemaking allows those taxicab owners and operators with sport utility vehicles (SUVs) currently registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles with Commission taxicab tags to continue to operate as taxicabs in the District of Columbia and to complete the taxicab inspection process until January 22, 2011 (one year after the effective date of the prior emergency rulemaking on this matter).  During the one (1) year period, the Commission intends to consider whether SUVs should be allowed to operate as taxicabs on an ongoing basis and, if so, what standards should apply to SUVs operated as taxicabs. 

 

The rules were previously published as emergency and proposed rulemaking in the D.C. Register on February 5, 2010 (57 DCR 1273).  No comments were received in response to that notice and no substantive changes have been made.  These final rules will be effective upon publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.  

 

Title 31 DCMR, Chapter 6 (Taxicab Parts and Equipment), Section 601 is amended as follows:

 

A new subsection 601.1A is added to read as follows:

 

601.1A            Notwithstanding the provisions of §601.1, taxicab owners or operators with sport utility vehicles registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles with Commission taxicab tags shall be allowed to continue to operate as taxicabs and be allowed to complete the taxicab inspection process if they comply with all other laws and regulations; provided,  the authority to operate and complete the inspection process under this subsection shall expire on January 22, 2011.