Taxi Reform Proposal to go before City Council

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A newly proposed set of taxi cab regulations would not only improve passenger safety and offer driver incentives, it could bring more service to underserved communities. (Photo by Olivier Aumage)
A newly proposed set of taxi cab regulations would not only improve passenger safety and offer driver incentives, it could bring more service to underserved communities. (Photo by Olivier Aumage)

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Anthony Beal (9th ) on Monday announced the proposal of reforms to the citys taxi industry that includes modernizing the current fleet of vehicles and improving cab drivers moving violation reporting.

These advances in the taxi industry are part of a comprehensive effort to help Chicagoans get where they need to go safely and affordably, the mayor said.

In addition to dealing with speeding and reckless cab drivers with a number of moving violations, and those driving fuel-inefficient vehicles, the ordinance would create a new category for jitney livery drivers. The city would offer a license and regulations to these drivers, who operate mostly in minority communities where hailing a cab is challenging.

If approved by the City Council, the reforms would offer several incentives for taxis to be more wheelchair and handicap accessible. Moreover, the changes would help the city to quickly reference cab drivers records from the Secretary of States office instead of doing it annually.

The proposals aim is to crack down on old vehicles and reckless cab drivers. For a cab on duty, the city wants to limit its mileage from 150,000 to 75,000.

To curb speeding and other moving violations, the city wants real-time access to the Secretary of States moving violation database. No more waiting for an annual report of cab drivers records, the city would be able to immediately deal with scofflaws. Those with three moving violations in a 12-month period would be denied renewal of their license.

These are commonsense reforms that are in line with the interests of cab drivers, passengers and the companies, said Beal, chair of the City Councils Transportation and Infrastructure committee.

Cab driver protections include establishing an industry-standard lease that would reduce extraneous charges cab companies put in leases that often lead to illegal overcharges. The city also wants to limit the cab driver workday to 12 hours.

These reforms will increase safety and bring Chicagos taxi fleet into the 21st century by enhancing oversight of drivers, ensuring vehicles are modern and more fuel-efficient and giving customers a cleaner and safer ride, said Emanuel.

The proposal goes before the City Council on Wednesday.

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