REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 1, 2016
FROM: CLINTON J. OLIVIER, Councilmember for District 7; and
BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Action pertaining to taxicab regulations:
1. ***BILL NO. B-50 - (Intro. 11/17/2016) (For adoption) - Amending portions of Chapter 9, Article 9 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to taxicab regulations.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Council approve amendments to the Fresno Municipal Code Sections 9-903, 9-906, 9-907, 9-911, 9-914, 9-915, and 9-919 regarding taxicab operations within the City of Fresno
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City staff representing Councilmember Olivier and the City Manager has been meeting with members of the local taxicab industry who have been seeking relief from some of the regulatory requirements associated with operating a taxicab in the City of Fresno. These amendments will not impact the overall safety or quality of service being provided, but rather are intended to help the local taxicab industry to better compete with Transportation Network Companies (TNC), such as Uber and Lyft.
BACKGROUND
Over the last several months the City Manager, along with members from Councilmember Olivier's Office, have been meeting with representatives from the local taxicab industry in an effort to reduce some of the requirements placed on taxicab operators. In the past, the taxicab industry voiced concerns over the level of oversight placed on the industry, and how some of the regulations are making it difficult to compete in an ever changing market in which TNC, such as Uber and Lyft are capturing a larger percentage of the market.
In order to address these concerns, staff is recommending amendments to the Fresno Municipal Code to reflect the following changes:
* As part of the annual permit, each year a taxicab owner will sign an affidavit affirming drivers have been properly trained and understand all the rules and regulations related to operating a taxi in the City of Fresno and that the taxi meter has b...
Click here for full text