The DC Taxicab Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. The meeting was initiated with Chairman Ron M. Linton delivering a report updating the progress on several issues:
The revised regulations for the Taxi Smart Meter System (TSMS) and the new standard dome light that had previously been passed on an emergency basis were published and will remain open for public comment for 30 days until November 5. At that time, the Commission will consider the public comments for further possible changes and then re-publish the regulations for another 30-day comment period. If there are no substantial comments, then the Commission will take action to adopt the regulations.
A notice of rules offered by the Commission to establish the Sedan-class of public vehicles-for-hire should be published by the end the end of October. At the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission meeting on Wednesday, November 14 action is expected to be taken to publish proposed rules on Friday, November 23. A 30-day public comment period will follow. The earliest time frame for the adoption of any rules by the Commission would be January, 2013.
The Commission has been loaned four vehicles to put on public display with four different specific color schemes. The vehicles will be displayed outside of Union Station through the Presidential Inauguration. The vehicles will then be moved to the Convention Center to be exhibited during the Annual Auto Show. The public will be given the opportunity to offer comments and reactions regarding the standardized color scheme via on-site comment cards and on the Commission’s website. Commissioner Cyril Crocker is heading the Commission’s panel to review the one-color vehicle options.
The Commission is fulfilling its legislative responsibility to create a Disability Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will be headed by Commissioner Anthony Muhammad with representatives from the Office of Disability Rights; the Office of Human Rights; and the Commission on Persons with Disabilities.
Finally, a reminder was provided that according to Section 609 of Title 31 of the DC Municipal Regulations effective January 1, 2013, no vehicle that is more than five (5) model years old or has accumulated mileage in excess of three hundred thousand miles may begin service as a taxicab in the District of Columbia. By January 1, 2018 no vehicle that is more than seven model years old or has accumulated mileage in excess of 400,000 miles may remain in service as a taxicab in DC, whether it’s owned, rented or leased.
Assistant Chief Patrick A. Burke of the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offered a report regarding an increased number of sexual assaults that involve alcohol. The intent is to raise awareness of taxi drivers to vulnerable or impaired individuals who may need greater assistance. Assistant Chief Burke also advised of increased police attention on taxi robberies. He also requested assistance to promote the Terrorist Intervention Program (TIP) and Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) to encourage the public to inform law enforcement officials of any possible illegal or worrisome activities. It was agreed that the Commission would provide an online link to a MPD brochure as well as distribute information to drivers.
