6039916 Taxicab Commission, D.C. - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking- Chapter 5 - Customer Service Standards Independent Owner-Operators
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 8(c)(2), (3), (5), (7), (12), (15), and (19), 14, and 20 of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985 (“Establishment Act”), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§ 50-307(c)(2) (3), (5), (7), (12), (15), and (19), 50-313, and 50-319 (2014 Repl. & 2015 Supp.)), and D.C. Official Code § 47-2829 (b), (d), (e), (e-1), and (i) (2014 Repl. & 2015 Supp.), hereby gives notice of its intent to adopt amendments to Chapter 5 (Taxicab Companies and Associations) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles For Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).
This proposed rulemaking would amend Chapter 5 to enhance customer service standards and establish greater parity in operating and licensing rules throughout the taxicab industry by: (1) establishing requirements for independent taxicab owners applying for new and renewed certificates of operating authority; and (2) modifying operating requirements of independent taxicab owners to make more uniform the requirements for independent taxicab owners, taxicab companies, and taxicab associations.
The Commission also hereby gives notice of its 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. Directions for submitting comments may be found at the end of this notice.
Chapter 5, Taxicab COMPANIES AND ASSOCIATIONS, of Title 31 DCMR, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, is amended to read as follows:
The title of Chapter 5 is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 5 TAXICAB COMPANIES, ASSOCIATIONS, FLEETS, AND INDEPENDENT TAXICABS
Section 505, INDEPENDENT TAXICABS, is amended to read as follows:
Subsection 505.2 is amended as follows:
Paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (g) and (h) are amended to read as follows:
(a) The applicant’s name, residence and business addresses;
(b) The applicant’s home and mobile telephone numbers, fax number, and email address;
(d) The make, model, year of manufacture, body type, and vehicle identification number of the applicant’s vehicle;
(g) Whether the applicant’s vehicle is wheelchair accessible or other specially equipped;
(h) The type of fuel used by the applicant’s vehicle;
New Paragraphs (i) through (n) are added to read as follows:
(i) Certification of tax compliance from the Internal Revenue Service for the prior tax year;
(j) A copy of Certificate of Occupancy for the applicant’s administrative office, if applicable;
(k) A statement by the applicant that the applicant will not discriminate against customers and will provide service throughout the District of Columbia;
(l) Clean Hands certification that the applicant has complied with the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue registration and filing requirements, including but not limited to filing the FR-500 Combined Business Tax Registration Application Form and the FR-500T, Taxicab and Limousine Supplemental Information Form;
(m) Verification that the applicant has applied for and is pre-approved for insurance that complies with District of Columbia insurance requirements and the requirements of Chapter 9 of this title; and
(n) The trade name and any design, insignia, logo, term, symbol, lettering, or other exterior object, pursuant to § 503 of this chapter.
New Subsections 505.12 through 505.14 are added to read as follows:
505.12 Each independent taxicab owner shall maintain a computerized data system capable of electronically submitting to the Office all information required by this Title and other applicable law.
505.13 Each independent taxicab owner shall provide one or more safety devices for all its owned and associated vehicles which conforms to the equipment standards of § 603.8(n)(3), as specified in an administrative issuance, including a device which also provides for driver’s safety.
505.14 Each independent taxicab owner shall maintain a website containing only current and accurate information about the company or association.
Copies of this proposed rulemaking can be obtained at www.dcregs.dc.gov or by contacting the Secretary to the Commission, District of Columbia Taxicab Commission, 2235 Shannon Place, S.E., Suite 3001, Washington D.C. 20020. All persons desiring to file comments on the proposed rulemaking action should submit written comments via e-mail to dctc@dc.gov or by mail to the D.C. Taxicab Commission, 2235 Shannon Place, S.E., Suite 3001, Washington D.C. 20020, Attn: Secretary to the Commission, no later than thirty (30) days after the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.
