County Drafts Revisions To Taxicab Code

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eb/.taxicode.pr 00-326

Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Nancy Kutz, 240-777-2227

For Immediate Release: September 5, 2000

COUNTY DRAFTS REVISIONS TO TAXICAB CODE

In order to update the law governing taxicab operations and improve customer service, the Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) is seeking input from County Commissions and Committees with special interest in taxicab service. They are being asked to submit their comments on draft changes to the County law regulating taxicab service.

DPWT has proposed a major rewrite of the taxicab regulation section of the Montgomery County Code, Chapter 53.

During the next month, the Taxicab Services Advisory Committee, the Commission on People with Disabilities, the Council on Aging, and the Advisory Committee on Consumer Affairs will review the proposals and provide County staff with their comments.

The initiative to improve customer service includes the following proposed changes:

Improve service by establishing a new customer service standards.

Improve customer service for persons with disabilities who must ride in their wheelchairs or scooters by giving them priority for the use of accessible taxicabs.

Give current taxicab drivers with good service records preference in obtaining a taxicab license and owning their own cab.

Create a more flexible way to add or reduce the number of licensed sedan and accessible taxicabs on an as needed basis.

Preclude other private for-hire carriers, such as sedans, vans, and limousines, from providing taxicab service without a taxicab license.

Add a representative of the senior community as one of the five public members of the Taxicab Services Advisory Commission.

The proposed legislation is expected to go to the County Council later this year. At that time, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes at a public hearing.

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