Under the new rules, cost of taxi permits would be passed to customers via a 50-cent fee on each ride.
BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
Under new rules proposed by Portland commissioner Steve Novick, the cost of taxi permits would be passed to customers via a 50-cent fee on each ride.
The traditional taxi companies said implementing Novick’s plan would be a mistake.
A coalition of taxi companies, the Transportation Fairness Alliance, is lambasting the plan—comparing it to the much-hated street fee.
“Like the proposed street fee, the Novick proposal would pass all public agency costs directly onto the public,” writes spokeswoman Kelliann Amico. “The proposal contains no limit on these new taxes, increases costs, and decreases government efficiency.”
(SOURCE: Willamette Week)
Other facets to Novick’s proposal include provisions for wheelchair-accessible cars and driver training.
The city will require that each company provide wheelchair accessible service 24 hours a day.
Hockaday said the city would step up its enforcement, auditing the companies and issuing fines when a wheelchair-accessible ride isn’t available. The city has only issued warnings during the pilot program that began in April.
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The training would cover the city’s for-hire transportation code, traffic safety, Portland-area attractions and customer service.
(SOURCE: OregonLive.com)
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