Proposed Ordinance Changes to City of Des Moines Vehicles for Hire Ordinance Council Workshop February 9, 2015 1
Background In December 2014, Council directed staff to re-draft the proposed changes to the City s current ordinance to create a more uniform ordinance that would apply to all Vehicles for Hire Most concerned about public safety Background checks Adequate Insurance 2
Highlights of this revised code All vehicle for hire types in one code section New Definitions Created for all Vehicles for Hire Vehicle for Hire Company (VHC) - a business entity that offers vehicle transportation services including but not limited to limousine or taxi cab services with or without the use of a digital platform to provide those services Vehicle Transportation Services the use of a motor vehicle for providing a ride to passengers for consideration by any means Vehicle for Hire Company Certificate a certificate issued by Council, authorizing the operation of a vehicle for hire company for trips originating within the Des Moines City limits 3
Highlights of this revised code A Vehicle for Hire Company certificate issued by City Council is required to operate in the City of Des Moines Vehicle for Hire Company Certificate issued annually Company must obtain both criminal and DOT background checks on any driver City no longer issues a Taxi/Limo Driver s License Company must provide liability insurance for operation of the vehicles City Code no longer establishes rates Vehicles identified by decal on outside of vehicle Company provides Driver Identification Card for each vehicle 4
Transportation Service Vehicle Driver s Requirements Transportation Service Vehicle (TSV) a vehicle used to provide transportation service associated with a company that has a Vehicle for Hire Company Certificate Class D Chauffer s License Required Company must background-check any driver before they are given access to the Vehicle for Hire Company dispatch service or digital platform Third party accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners shall be used. (An annual audit may be performed by City to verify that checks have been completed according to city code requirements) Driving record check, past 5 years Full criminal check, past 10 years National Sex Offender Database Check 5
Insurance Requirements Same for all Vehicles for Hire General & Automobile Liability for injury, death, and property damage for not less than $750,000 per occurrence and aggregate combined single limit Insurance must cover the Transportation Service Vehicles and their drivers at all times the Transportation Service Vehicles is en-route to pick up a passenger, transporting a passenger, or while otherwise engaged in commercial activity under the certificate Insurance must cover claims regardless of whether a driver maintains adequate insurance to cover any portion of the claim Written notification of cancellation must be provided to the City Results in automatic termination of Vehicle for Hire Company Certificate to Operate 6
Transportation Service Vehicle Rates Rates and charges must be posted at all times in a manner clearly visible to the person requesting the service prior to service provided Rate card, taximeter, digital platform or the internet Unlawful for Company or driver to fix, charge or collect a rate more than what is specified at time the service is requested Transportation Service Vehicles, except taxicabs, cannot accept street hails Transportation Service Vehicles, except taxicabs, are prohibited from using taxi stands Limousines no longer have a pre-booking or minimum one hour requirement 7
Discrimination The Company and drivers cannot discriminate based on age, race, religion, creed, color, sex, etc. Must comply with applicable laws on service animals Cannot impose additional fees on those with physical disabilities Cannot discriminate or show favoritism for any geographic area of the city or neighborhood 8
Fees Annual certificate fee shall be assessed for each Vehicle for Hire Company Fee based upon the average number of Transportation Service Vehicle drivers authorized to provide vehicle transportation services each month Average number provided to city in company s annual report 9
Vehicle Identification and Driver Identification Vehicle Identification Each company shall require each vehicle to display a consistent and distinctive identifying design at all times vehicle is providing services Painted or affixed decal visible from outside of vehicle Driver Identification Drivers shall clearly display on the dashboard and in rear compartment a driver identification card Name, photograph, make, model, and license of vehicle Traffic Engineer supplies specifications for card, each company is responsible for printing for each of their drivers 10
Airport Operation Company and Transportation Service Vehicle drivers operating at the airport shall do so in accord with rules and regulations adopted by the Des Moines Airport Authority Will not be allowed in the cab stand 11
Ordinance Violations Any person who fails to perform an act required by this ordinance or commits an act prohibited by the ordinance shall be guilty of a municipal infraction OR guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment 12
Questions? 13