The DC Taxicab Commission has scheduled an Informational Public Hearing for Monday, September 10, 2012 at 10 am and a subsequent Special Commission Meeting on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 10 am to determine whether to publish proposed regulations. The purpose of the Informational Public Hearing is to hear from parties interested in the Sedan-class of public vehicles-for-hire. According to the District of Columbia Taxicab Service Improvement Amendment Act passed by the DC City Council, the Commission may create and regulate classes of public vehicles-for-hire independent of taxicabs and limousines, including Sedan-class vehicles.
The Commission may issue rules and regulations governing the conduct of such vehicles, including the type of vehicles, number of inspections, licensing of drivers, advertising, safety of the driver and of the public, fares, financial obligations, and any other provisions necessary to provide safe public passenger transportation. The Informational Public Hearing will provide a platform to elicit suggestions, ideas and concerns from the industry as well as the general public. This hearing will help to determine the regulations for the Sedan-class of public vehicles-for-hire. This category of vehicle is defined as one that operates exclusively through dispatch and shall not accept street hails. A decision will made at the meeting on September 19 whether to publish proposed regulations.
The City Council’s Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation will hold a public oversight hearing regarding this matter on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 11:00 am in Council Chamber, Room 500.
Both meetings before the Commission will be held at 441 4th St NW in the Old Council Chambers. Members of the public must register to speak for the September 10, 2012 Informational Public Hearing. The time limit for registered speakers is five (5) minutes. A speaker should also submit two (2) copies of any prepared statement to the Assistant Secretary to the Commission.
Registration to speak closes at 4:30 pm September 7, 2012. Contact the Assistant Secretary to the Commission, Ms. Mixon, on 202-645-6018. Registration consists of your name; your phone number or email contact; and your subject matter.