The DC Taxicab Commission at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 17, 2012 took the following actions:

Approved publishing notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking to extend the time period for the Special Public Vehicle-for-Hire Permits for the Presidential Inauguration activities from 30 days to 45 days; the continuation of the special permits requirement pertains to non-resident limousines only during the Presidential Inauguration activities. The applicable dates for the special permit are December 26, 2012 through January 27, 2013. The special permit fee is five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Approved publishing notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking to suspend vehicle retirement through June 30, 2013; pending the implementation of the uniformed one-color design scheme.

Approved in the event of publication, final amendments to Chapters 5, 6, 8, 11, 13 and 15; Chapters 6 and 8 will serve as placeholders pending the future decision regarding the Taxi Smart Meter System (TSMS).

Public comments included concerns about driver safety, competition from unregulated electronic dispatch service providers and suggestions for improving the public image of the DC public vehicle-for-hire industry.