DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing and Possible Action on Changes to Chapter 33
SUMMARY:
During the November 30th B Session, City Council directed staff to explore the options for removing the taxi permit cap. City staff, the taxicab industry and a group of independent driver representatives worked over the last few months to evaluate and discuss the inclusion of owner/operator companies into the vehicle for hire industry. The proposed addition of an owner/operator taxi business model will allow for a separate company category to be created within the Chapter 33 Vehicles-for-Hire ordinance. Additionally, City staff is proposing to allow an unlimited amount of permits to our Group Cycle category as requested by the Group Cycle industry.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In November 2016, a group of approximately 200 taxicab drivers submitted a petition to SAPD and Councilmembers requesting the removal of the permit caps for the taxicab operating permits. During the November 30, 2016 B Session, City Council directed staff to work with the taxicab independent driver representatives to evaluate the removal of the current permit capacity limits and allowing for an owner/operator structure as requested by the independent driver representatives. After several meetings and discussions with the representatives from the independent driver's group /company owners, a recommendation was formed to incorporate the owner/operator business model into the vehicle for hire industry.
In March 2016, City Council action approved the incorporation of Group Cycle operations into the Chapter 33 ordinance. Since four companies have successfully launched operations each issued one group cycle permit. The area of operations is primarily with the Pearl district and King William/Southtown areas. Over the last year, SAPD staff has worked closely with the operators to ensure ...
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