4966320 Taxicab Commission, DC - Notice of Final Rulemaking - Rules governing double sealed meters, dome light status and trip data requirements
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION
NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING
The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission, pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 8(c)(3), (5) and (7), 14, 20, and 20g 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(c)(3), (c)(5), (c)(7), 50-313, 50-319, 50-329 (2012 Repl. & 2013 Supp.)), hereby gives notice of its adoption of amendments to Chapters 6 (Taxicab Parts and Equipment) and 8 (Operation of Taxicabs) of Title 31 (Taxicabs and Public Vehicles for Hire) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).
The proposed rules would: (1) require that taximeters be double-sealed to prevent the use of unauthorized meters, (2) correct inconsistent references to the Dome Light status, (3) change the trip data reporting in the service and support requirements of Section 603 to provide that each modern taximeter system report the public vehicle identification number in a non-anonymous format, and (4) provide a one thousand ($1,000) fine for the use of an improperly sealed meter.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was adopted on April 9, 2014 and published in the D.C. Register on May 2, 2014 at 61 DCR 4448. No comments were received on the proposed rulemaking and no substantial changes were made to the rulemaking. The Commission voted to adopt these rules as final on June 11, 2014, and they will become effective upon publication in the D.C. Register.
Chapter 6, TAXICAB PARTS AND EQUIPMENT, of Title 31, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, of the DCMR, is amended as follows:
Section 602, TAXIMETERS, is amended as follows:
Subsection 602.1(c)(23) and (24) are amended to read as follows:
(23) Be permanently affixed to the vehicle in a location approved by the Commission and double sealed so as to prevent tampering, removal, or opening;
(24) Have a Commission-approved Dome Light that is connected to the engine and controlled by engaging the meter; provided, however, that the Dome Light may contain a driver-activated switch located on the side of the Dome Light that will allow the complete Dome Light to remain dark when the vehicle is being utilized for personal use, in compliance with Subsections 605.5, 605.6, 605.7 and 605.8.
Section 603, MODERN TAXIMETER SYSTEMS, is amended as follows.
Subsection 603.9 (c) is amended to read as follows:
(c) Transmit to the TCIS every twenty-four (24) hours via a single data feed consistent in structure across all PSPs, in a manner as established by the Office, the following data:
(1) The operator’s identification (Face Card) number
(2) The operator’s PVIN;
(3) The vehicle tag (license plate) number;
(4) The name of the PSP;
(5) The name of the taxicab company, association, or fleet, if applicable;
(6) The PSP-assigned tour of duty identification number;
(7) The date and time when the operator completed the required login process pursuant to Subsection 603.9(a) at the beginning of the tour of duty;
(8) The time (duration) and mileage of each trip;
(9) The date and time of pickup and drop-off of each trip;
(10) The geospatially-recorded place of pickup and drop-off of each trip which may be generalized to census tract level;
(11) The number of passengers;
(12) The unique trip identification number assigned by the PSP;
(13) The taximeter fare and an itemization of the rates and charges pursuant to § 801;
(14) The form of payment (cash payment, cashless payment, voucher, or digital payment), the payment method, and, if a digital payment, the name of the DDS;
(15) The date and time of logoff at the end of the tour of duty;
(16) The date and time that the data transmission to TCIS takes place;
Subsection 603.9 (d) is amended to read as follows.
(d) Provide the Office with all information necessary to ensure that the PSP pays the taxicab passenger surcharge for each taxicab trip and that the District receives required data pursuant to Subsection 603.9, regardless of how the fare is paid, including:
(1) Weekly surcharge reports (due every Monday by the close of business (COB));
(2) Weekly vehicle installation and inventory reports (consistent with the requirements of Subsection 408.14 (due every Friday COB);
(3) Weekly TCIS trip rejected reports;
(4) Weekly non-payment drivers lists;
(5) Weekly detailed trip records, including driver’s information upon request of the Office; and
(6) Any other reports as may be required by the Office for purposes consistent with this section.
Section 605, DOME LIGHTS AND TAXI NUMBERING SYSTEM, is amended as follows:
Subsections 605.5, 605.6, and 605.7 are amended to read as follows:
605.5 The LED portion of the Dome Light shall display “Taxi For Hire” at all times when the taxicab is available for hire and the LED portion of the Dome Light shall go “dark” when the taxicab is not available for hire because the taxicab is carrying a passenger. The Dome Light may contain a driver activated switch on the side of the Dome Light that will allow the complete Dome Light to remain dark when the vehicle is being utilized for personal use.
605.6 Whenever a taxicab operator removes his or her vehicle from service and is proceeding to a place of his or her choosing without intending to take on passengers, the LED portion of the Dome Light shall display “Taxi Off Duty”.
605.7 Whenever a taxicab is responding to a dispatch call or proceeding to a prior arranged transport, the LED portion of the Dome Light shall display “Taxi On Call”.
Chapter 8, OPERATION OF TAXICABS, of Title 31, TAXICABS AND PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR HIRE, of the DCMR, is amended as follows:
Section 825, TABLE OF CIVIL FINES AND PENALTIES, is amended as follows:
Subsection 825.2 is amended by adding to the current rows of infractions, as the last row under the heading “Taximeter” the following:
Operating with an improperly sealed meter $1,000; license suspension, revocation, or non-renewal, or any combination of these sanctions
