Taxicab Work Session Topics Requested by Columbus Council

1. Taxicab Work Session Topics Requested by Columbus Council Provide an overview of how the taxicab industry works. Provide information regarding the taxicab service on Ft. Benning. Explain reasons for requiring 24-hour/7-day dispatch service for cabs. Examine the feasibility of home-based taxicab companies. Discuss the issue of fare rates displayed on taxicabs. Provide information on the taxicab fee structure for Columbus and how much revenue the city receives from the taxicab industry. Compare the taxicab fee structure and revenue for Columbus to other jurisdictions. Provide copies of the taxicab ordinances of Atlanta and Macon.

2. Columbus Taxicab Industry * These numbers frequently change due to drivers transferring from one company to another.

3. Types of Taxicab Drivers Independent contractor who uses a company-owned cab  Pays taxicab company a daily fee of approximately $45 - $70 which covers things such as: - Vehicle usage - Insurance - Dispatch service *Note: This amounts to approximately $315 - $490 per week. Independent contractor who owns his/her own cab but who works under the umbrella of a taxicab company Pays the taxicab company a weekly fee of approximately $125 - $200 which covers things such as: - Insurance - Dispatch service *Note: This amount is less than what a driver who uses a company-owned cab pays over a week’s time because the owner-operator driver is providing the vehicle instead of the company doing so. Requirements of All Cab Drivers  Have driver permit (must meet certain requirements and pay a fee)  Comply with pertinent ordinances and regulations  Accept all legitimate, orderly customers if cab is available regardless of fee size Non-compliance subjects both driver and company to suspension or revocation of their permits.

4. Composition of Taxicab Commission Currently 2 Taxicab Company Owners 1 Taxicab Driver 1 Chamber of Commerce Rep. 1 Police Dept. Rep. 1 Columbus Airport Rep. 1 Hotel/Motel Industry Rep. 2 At Large Commissioners 9 Total Proposed by Council 2 Taxicab Company Owners 1 Taxicab Driver 1 Chamber of Commerce Rep. 1 Police Dept. Rep. 1 Columbus Airport Rep. 1 Hotel/Motel Industry Rep. 1 Conv. & Visitors Bureau Rep. 3 At Large Commissioners 11 Total Another Possible Option 2 Taxicab Company Owners 1 Taxicab Driver 1 Chamber of Commerce Rep. 1 Police Dept. Rep. 1 Columbus Airport Rep. 1 Hotel/Motel Industry Rep. 1 Conv. & Visitors Bureau Rep. 1At Large Commissioner 9 Total Considerations  It is difficult to achieve good attendance withthe nine commissioners we currently have. Increasing the number of commissioners may worsen the problem.  The Commission has recently changed their meeting schedule from monthly to quarterly in an effort to improve attendance.  A representative from the Convention and Visitors Bureau would be a welcome addition. Since both at large positions are currently vacant, perhaps letting the representative from the Convention and Visitors Bureau replace one of the at large positions would be a viable alternative.

5. Taxicab Service on Ft. Benning •Ft. Benning has no limit on the number of cabs allowed to work on post. •They contract with only owner-operators (meaning those who own their own cabs) and currently have contracted with 89 individuals. •They charge each owner-operator $150.00 per month and issue each a decal that is to be put on his/her cab. •Rates to customers are based on a “Zone” method on post and on Columbus meter readings if entering or leaving the installation.

6. Reasons for Requiring 24-Hour/7-DayDispatch Service for Taxicabs • Offering taxicab service around the clock provides a service to those who need transportation at times and in places for which the city’s Metra System is not available. Note: The 24/7 requirement is an obligation of the taxicab companies, not of the individual drivers. • Not having that service available would be a hardship on the citizens and visitors in Columbus who are dependent on public transportation. • If 24/7 service were not required of the taxicab companies, then - customers might find it difficult to acquire service during non-peak hours and in non-peak locations. - drivers might declare themselves off duty anytime that they did not want to take particular fares, thereby refusing service to legitimate, orderly customers. • If no taxicab companies voluntarily offered 24/7 service, the city could find itself in the predicament of no public transportation being available at certain times. • If 24/7 service were not available, patron frustration could be detrimental to the city’s image.

7. Columbus Taxicab Commission Recommendationsif the 24-Hour/7-Day Requirement Is Eliminated • If a taxicab company advertises 24/7 service, then that company must provide 24/7 service. • If a taxicab company does not offer 24/7 service, then that company must advertise what its hours of service are and must set up a referral system for those hours during which it is not in operation.

8. Issue of Home-based Taxicab Companies Home-based Taxicab Companies are not currently allowed in Columbus. - Dispatch activity is specifically prohibited for home occupation businesses. - Only one small commercial vehicle (cab) is allowed per residence for home occupation businesses. By this standard, if home-based taxicab companies were to be allowed, only one cab could be parked at the residence.  Home-based taxicab businesses are allowed in a number of other jurisdictions.  If Columbus Council decides to allow home-based taxicab companies, the Taxicab Commission recommends that: - approval of the neighborhood be acquired. - only one cab/one company per residence be allowed.

9. Survey Results for 24/7 Serviceand Home-based Taxicab Companies Note: Findings indicate that the handling of these issues varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction with no clear consensus on how to deal with these issues.

10. Issue of Fare Rates Displayed on Cabs • The current maximum fare rates for taxicabs as set by city ordinance are: - $2.00 for first 1/3 mile - $0.60 for each additional 1/3 mile - $1.00 for each additional passenger • No minimum fare rates have been established by ordinance. • The survey of other jurisdictions revealed that each did allow lesser fare rates than the established maximum, but few had ordinances addressing the display of lesser rates. • The Columbus Taxicab Commission recommends: - The fare rates for a particular cab must be displayed on the cab’s sides. - The fare rates displayed on a cab’s sides may be less than the maximum set by the City Council. - The fare rates displayed on a cab’s sides must match the rates displayed on the meter within the vehicle. - All cabs operating in a particular company must display the same fare rates on the vehicle sides. - If a taxicab company wishes to change the rates it charges, a 15-day prior written notice must be given to the city.

11. Survey Results for Maximumand Lesser Taxicab Fare Rates Note: Findings indicate that all jurisdictions surveyed do permit rates that are less than the maximum rate allowed by ordinance, but few actually have an ordinance requiring display of that lesser rate.

12. Conclusions: • Some cities collect a regulatory fee per vehicle; others do not collect a fee of this type. • Columbus does not collect a regulatory fee per vehicle but does collect fees from drivers. Recommendation: If Columbus seeks to add a new source of funding through a regulatory fee per vehicle, a cost study to validate a reasonable, per vehicle cost would be necessary to establish a fee.