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Taxicab Regulation and Licensing in Montgomery County, Maryland

  Montgomery County Code - Taxicabs and Limousines

Chapter 53

Expedited Bill No. 27-06 Taxicab-Amendments

Taxicab Driver News Winter 2009

 COMFORTABLE  -  EASY  -  SAFE 

• The weather is bad and you don't want to drive.
• You missed your carpool and you're late for work.
• A business meeting is downtown & parking is hard to find.
• You don't want to leave your car at the airport.
• The kids have soccer practice and your car is in the shop.

THE ANSWER IS...TO CALL A TAXICAB!

 Comfortable

Taxicabs provide fast, clean, dependable, curb to curb, personalized

Transportation service operated by professional, trained drivers.  Taxicabs in Montgomery County are regulated by the Department of Transportation and operate under established standards.  DOT cares about your safety and comfort.

Easy

Taxicabs provide service all day, everyday & it's easy to get a taxicab.  You can:

• Hail a taxicab from curb side
• Go to a taxicab stand, such as the stands at most Metrorail stations, and take the taxicab in line.
• Call a taxicab company and request to be picked up.  Requests may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week at any of the following fleets

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Safe 

Taxicabs are a safe way to travel.  All County taxicab vehicles must be licensed by the

Montgomery County Department of Transportation.  Vehicles must meet stringent requirements.  They must be late model cars, carry adequate insurance, pass two mechanical inspections a year, be clean and in good cosmetic condition.

Taxicab drivers must also be licensed by the County.  To get a license they must pass a test, complete both Maryland and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background clearances, and have good driving records. 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND

TAXICAB METER RATE SCHEDULE

 DRIVERS MUST USE METERS

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 General Rider Information

• Taxicab Companies and Driver

Taxicab companies can be identified by their unique colors. The vehicles are owned by either the company or by an individual license holder who affiliates the taxicab with the company. In the future, taxicabs will be marked identifying the owner and the operating company of the vehicle.

The majority of taxicab drivers rent the vehicles from a fleet, while others are owner/ operators who pay a fee to affiliate with a fleet. Drivers who rent their taxicabs pay a daily lease fee. All drivers pay for their own gas, oil, car washes and other expenses. Drivers earn their income from the fares paid by passengers less the expenses of operating the vehicle. It is for this reason that their incomes very much depend on tips. If you receive good service, please tip accordingly. Although, a tip is not mandatory.

•  Ride Sharing

Taxicabs are an economical way to transport a small group of riders. The cost is the meter rate plus the additional person charge for all other riders. Taxicabs can carry up
to four passengers, so you can save if you share rides.   

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• Cost        

 The rates for taxicab services are regulated and posted in all taxicabs. It's easy to determine the cost of your ride since all taxicabs have meters and drivers must use the meters at all times. Rates and additional charges are posted on the side window of every taxicab. All licensed Montgomery County taxicabs charge the same rate. You don't need to shop around for a different price.

•  Meter Rates

The meter starts once you have informed the taxicab driver of your destination, and ends when the taxicab comes to a complete stop at the final destination. The meter charges are:

• Initial charge - The cost for engaging a taxicab. This amount appears when the meter is turned on.
• Distance Charge - The cost for each fraction of a mile traveled.
• Waiting Time and Traffic Delay Time - Waiting time begins five minutes after the the taxicab has arrived at the point of pick-up or when the taxicab is stopped, or has slowed to a speed of less than 11 miles per hour. Waiting time may not be charged for the extra time it may take assisting a passenger with disabilities.
• Additional Passengers - The charge for more than one passenger in the same party. There is no charge for children under five years of age when accompanied by an adult or for a personal care attendant accompanying a person with disabilities.
• Personal Service - Personal service is the charge for service provided by the driver at your request, such as loading suitcases, parcels, or personal effects.
• Pick up and Delivery - Charge for pickup and delivery service.
• Snow Emergency - This rate is charged in the event a snow emergency is declared by the state of Maryland for Montgomery County. This charge also applies to interstate trips.

 Taxicab Information Pack

Every taxicab has an information poster displayed behind the driver's seat. The poster gives the name and telephone number of the taxicab company, and the taxicab number. Every licensed taxicab has its own number.

• Accessible Taxicabs

These accessible taxicab vehicles are modified to provide service to people with disabilities. They are available for ambulatory passengers when they are not needed for accessible trips. So if you go to a taxicab stand and a van is first in line, you are welcome to use it. If you call for a taxicab and are unable to use a van, notify the dispatcher that you need a sedan.

Services for People with Disabilities

Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Service

For service provided by Metro Access Complaints call: 301-562-5360.
Montgomery County issues licenses for wheelchair accessible vehicles that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. There is no additional charge for an accessible taxicab. However, you should request accessible taxicabs in advance.

Service for Passengers with Vision Disabilities

For passengers with vision problems, the information pack behind the driver's seat is printed in large type. There is also a Braille ID label attached to the upper right portion of the information pack.

Service for Passengers with Verbal Communication Disabilities

If you have trouble with verbal communication you may give the driver the destination in writing. For TDD questions call 240-777-5869.

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• Taxicab Etiquette

Driver Responsibilities

Drivers should provide professional and courteous service. They must take the most direct route to the customer's destination, charge metered rates, accept any passenger unless the taxicab is engaged or off duty, and give a receipt when requested.

Customer Responsibilities

You should wait at the curb or be prepared to come out to the taxicab immediately upon its arrival, pay the fare, and enter and exit the vehicle away from the traffic lane. You should cancel reservations if the taxicab is not needed. It is suggested that passengers request receipts so they have a record of the trip.

Rush Hour, Weather and Traffic Problems

Many vehicles including taxicabs, may be delayed during rush hour, inclement weather, periods of high demand, or traffic incidents. Please allow additional time.

• Sedans, Vans & Limousines

These vehicles are not regulated by the County. For your safety, be sure the company and each vehicle is authorized by either the Maryland Public Service Commission or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission. Authorized vehicles must charge rates they file with the agency. For inquiries and complaints:

Call the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission at 
(301)588-5260. For trips to or from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., or Prince George's County.

Call the Maryland Public Service Commission at (410) 767-8013
or toll free, 1-800-492-0474 for van, sedan and/or limousine trips between Montgomery County and other locations in Maryland.

    Taxicab Service Compliments and Complaints

Do you have a Compliment?

Call the Taxicab Hotline at 240-777-2625.
Compliments are very important to us and we appreciate hearing about your good experiences. Let us know about good service provided, special acts of kindness, and heroic deeds, so that we can recognize the drivers and the companies for a job well done.

Let a licensed Montgomery County taxicab take you where you want                       
to go, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

 Action Taxi - (301) 840-1222

 Barwood Cab - (301) 984-1900

 Regency Cab - (301) 990-9000

 Sun Cab - (301) 252-0575

Questions?  Call us at 240-777-CABS (2227)

TDD 240-777-5869

Having a Problem with Taxicab Service?

We hope you are happy with the service. When you are dissatisfied, call the company and report the problem along with the taxicab number as soon as possible after the incident, to insure a prompt resolution.

If you are still not satisfied, let us know.

Complaints can be submitted by any one of the following methods listed below:

1. Taxicab Hotline- 240-777-2625                                                        Hours/Days: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
2. On-line - go on line and fill out the complaint form at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/taxihotline                              
3. E-mail - send an e-mail with specifics of the problem to mcdot.taxioffice@montgomerycountymd.gov
4. US Mail - send a letter with specifics of the problem to: Montgomery County Division of Transit Services, Taxicab Office, 101 Monroe Street, 5th floor, Rockville, MD 20850

All complaints should include:

1. The taxicab number (The taxicab number can be found on both sides of the vehicle on the trunk and on the information pack inside the vehicle).
2. The company name.
3. The trip date and time.
4. A specific description of the problem.
5. Your name, address and a phone number where you can be contacted.

Montgomery County

Division of Transit Services

Taxicab Office

101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor

Rockville, Maryland 20850

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 Taxicab Driver Information

Taxicab Driver ID Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

As of January 5, 2009, all fingerprinting must be live scanned at the Baltimore City CJIS location; 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite #102, Baltimore, MD 21215

No appointment necessary - Monday - Wednesday & Friday 8:30 - 5:00, Thursday 8:30 - 6:00 and 1st and 3rd Saturdays 8:30 - 5:00.

Fingerprint cards must be picked up in the Taxicab Regulation Office at 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 5th Floor, Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00.

You must present valid picture ID.

• Taxicab Drivers Licensing

For information and application click on link below:

I.D. Application & Instructions (pdf. format)

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Montgomery County Department Transportation

Division of Transit Services Montgomery County Taxicab Unit 101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor Rockville, Maryland 20850 (240) 777-CABS (2227) Taxicab Driver ID Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon