Fiscal Note
The proposed changes to the public passenger vehicle ordinance lower licensing and vehicle fees for taxicabs. The proposed changes would lower the fee for a two-year license from $1,750 to $1,000. Additionally, annual per vehicle permit fees would reduce from $65 to $35. The lower rates for licensing and vehicle fees are expected to reduce revenues by $6,500 annually. License and fee revenues from taxicabs are a general fund revenue source.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Amending Section 11.06 of the Madison General Ordinances to lower licensing and vehicle fees, regulate prepayment policies, allow taxicab companies to use coupons or discounts and make various housekeeping updates.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This amendment makes changes to the public passenger vehicle ordinance recognizing that taxicabs now hold less market share due to transportation network companies. The amendment lowers licensing and vehicle fees and regulates the adoption of prepayment policies. The amendment allows taxicab companies to use promotional discounts or coupons without first notifying the City. The amendment also clarifies deadlines for license renewals and for Disability and Sensitivity training completed by drivers. The amendment also includes some housekeeping such as standardizing definitions and changes to gender inclusive language.
This Substitute maintains the current system of public passenger (taxi) licensing appeals by maintaining the Appeal Subcommittee of the Transportation Commission, but allowing the Appeal Subcommittee to be comprised of three members or alternate members of the Transportation Commission without the requirement that one of the members be an Alder on the Transportation Commission. It also corrects a typo to clarify that the person authorized to grant a stay of suspension or revocation is the City Traffic Engineer (not the Director of Transportation).
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
Section 11.06 entitled “Licensing and Regulating Public Passenger Vehicles, For Hire” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended to read as follows:
See Body File No. 63461 Version 2 in Attachments.