4317972 Public Oversight Roundtable Notice on "Safety in Taxicabs and the Implementation of the Taxicab Service Improvement Amendment Act of 2012"

Notice of public Oversight Roundtable on

 

 Safety in Taxicabs

 

and the

 

Implementation of the Taxicab Service

Improvement Amendment Act of 2012

 

at 11:00 a.m.

on June 5, 2013

in Room 500 of the

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20004

 

On June 5, 2013, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on the Transportation and the Environment, will hold a public oversight roundtable on Safety in Taxicabs and the Implementation of the Taxicab Service Improvement Amendment Act of 2013. The Roundtable will begin at 11:00 a.m. in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.   

 

            On February 25, 2013, the Committee held its annual oversight hearing on the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission.  During this hearing, the Commission stated that it receives approximately 150 complaints per month, 80% of which are from women who feel threatened, harassed, or unsafe in taxicabs.  The purpose of this hearing is to understand the processes by which the Commission evaluates, investigates, and resolves these complaints. 

 

The hearing will also consider the implementation of D.C. Law 19-184, the Taxicab Service Improvement Amendment Act of 2012.  Among other things, this law requires taxis to accept credit cards, maintain a digital manifest, install passenger and driver security devices, install a passenger information display with GPS navigation, and adopt a uniform color scheme and cruising lights.  The law also increases training for drivers and hack inspectors, encourages taxis that are environmentally friendly and accessible to persons with disabilities, and seeks to increase taxi service to underserved areas of the District.

 

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official Hearing Record. Anyone wishing to testify should contact Ms. Aukima Benjamin, staff assistant to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, at [phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail].  Persons representing organizations will have five minutes to present their testimony.  Individuals will have three minutes to present their testimony.  Witnesses should bring 8 copies of their written testimony and should submit a copy of their testimony electronically to [e-mail].

 

If you are unable to testify in person, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to Ms. Aukima Benjamin, staff assistant to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 108, Washington, D.C. 20004.  They may also be e-mailed to [e-mail] or faxed to [phone].  The record will close at the end of the business day on June 19, 2013.