Regulation of Vehicles for Hire City Code Chapter 34, Article VI

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1 Regulation of Vehicles for Hire City Code Chapter 34, Article VI Douglas W. Wiersig, Director Transportation and Public Works City Council Pre Council Meeting January 27,

2 Purpose History Fort Worth s Vehicle for Hire (VFH) Regulations Current ordinance major provisions New regulatory models other cities/authorities Model regulatory options for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) NCTCOG Regional effort Recommendations and next steps to allow TNCs to operate 2

3 History of the City s Regulations Significant Changes to the Vehicle for Hire Ordinance 2006 Recommendations in the Schaller Study Number of vehicles for hire within the City Street rental fee Fleet size 2014 Issue one year operating licenses address due process concerns reflect current industry practices regarding administrative procedures 3

4 Fort Worth s Current Regulations Regulatory Scheme Vehicle Age Limit Insurance Coverage Drug/Alcohol Testing Background Checks One year operating license Does not regulate transportation network companies (TNCs) (i.e. Uber, Lyft, ride sharing companies, etc) Regulated rates for taxicabs Taxis and Limos (car service) 5 years Shuttles 7 years 24/7 coverage Required for issuance of license, post accident, and random testing (conducted by certified lab) Required for issuance of license (driving record and criminal history checked by City staff) Inspection Taxicabs and Shuttles Semi annual inspection required (performed by City staff) Limos 3 rd party inspections or state inspection 4

5 Other City TNC Regulations Austin, Texas Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas Seattle, Washington Colorado, PUC 5

6 Other City TNC Regulations Separate Categories for TNCs Vehicle age limit varies Tiered insurance coverage driver status Zero tolerance drug policy Criminal background & driving history check Vehicle inspection/quality varies 6

7 Model Options for TNCs Current Fort Worth Requirements Legal Structure 1 Year License Separate vehicle categories Preliminary Recommendations for TNCs 1 Year License Separate vehicle category for TNCs Insurance $500K coverage $500K coverage May vary based on driver status Age Limits of Vehicles Taxis and Limos No more than 5 Years Shuttles No more than 7 years Minimum Number of Vehicles Taxicabs Minimum 50 vehicles Limos Minimum 1 large SUV or 3 sedans No more than 5 years Minimum 1 large SUV or 3 sedans Background Check Criminal and driving history Criminal and driving history Drug Testing Required for initial license, random checks, and post accident Required for initial license, random checks, and post accident 7

8 Model Options for TNCs Current Fort Worth Requirements Driver Training Company provided training City tests new taxicab drivers only on City regulations Rates Taxis Regulated by ordinance All Others Market driven License Fee Taxis $1,000 application fee Limos $150 application fee $50 per vehicle Recording Keeping Taxis Annual reports required All Others Upon request of City Preliminary Recommendations for TNCs Company provided training Market driven $150 application fee $50 per vehicle Annual reports (upon request) Inspection Taxis Inspection by City Limos 20pt inspection by certified mechanic or state inspection Inspection by certified mechanic or state inspection 8

9 NCTCOG Regional Effort The City continues to participate in the effort led by North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to implement a regional regulatory model for vehicles for hire Staff does not anticipate that changes to Fort Worth s regulations to allow TNCs to operate will hinder the City s ability to later participate in a regional effort. 9

10 Stakeholders Working Group Establish Stakeholders Working Group: Taxicab Industry Limousine Industry TNC Industry Shuttle Industry Hotel Industry Convention & Visitors Bureau Provide recommendations to City Council on changes to the vehicle for hire regulations 10

11 Next Steps January/February 2015 Establish working group February 2015 Initial working group meeting March nd working group meeting April rd working group meeting (if necessary) Update City Council ITC Seek recommendations from ITC on implementation 11

12 Discussion 12