Taxicab Franchise Agreements - Mobility Committee Report

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Ann Kitchen
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Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:04 pm

Taxicab Franchise Agreements - Mobility Committee Report

Post by Ann Kitchen »

Councilmembers

The following is a brief summary of the Mobility Committee's initial actions related to the Taxicab Franchise Agreement - which relate only to first reading and items 29 - 30 on the April 23rd Council Agenda. This reflects our discussion in Work Session
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RE: Mobility Committee Report: Taxicab Franchise Renewals and Ground Transportation Regulatory Approach (Taxicab Ordinance proposed amendments; TNCs, Charter Buses and Other Ground Transportation)

Council Agenda Items:
29. Approve an ordinance on first reading relating to the Austin Cab I, Incorporated d.b.a. Austin Cab taxicab franchise.
30. Approve an ordinance on first reading relating to the Greater Austin Transportation Company, d.b.a. Yellow Cab Company taxicab franchise
31. Approve an ordinance on first reading relating to the Lone Star Cab Company taxicab franchise.

Mobility Committee Recommendation:
Because of the charter requirements for 3 separate readings (30 days apart) for Taxicab Franchise Agreement renewals, the Mobility Committee voted to recommend that the Council pass on first reading only, the agreements as they currently exist. The Committee's intent was to recommend starting the franchise renewal process, meeting the deadline for first reading. The Committee will address potential changes to the Franchise Agreement and Taxicab Ordinances at our next Mobility Committee meeting on April 29th and expects to bring forward additional recommendations for 2nd reading on May 23rd.

The Committee also discussed the option of extending the Agreements in their current form for one year in order to allow additional time to consider changes to the ground transportation regulatory requirements.

Background:
The Mobility Committee discussed policy issues including (1) fair and equitable regulation ("equal playing field") for all ground transportation types and drivers (2) safety for Austin's residents, and (3) access for people with disabilities. We discussed the importance of considering these issues in context for all types of ground transportation, rather than particular types in isolation.

Charter requirements drive the timeline for Taxicab Franchise Renewals.
The franchise agreements expire in August of this year, the first one on the 8th. Since 60 days must elapse between the 3rd reading and approval of the franchise agreements and the renewal taking effect, the latest Council can approve on a 3rd reading is the June 4 meeting. In addition, in order to satisfy the timing requirements between 1st and 3rd reading, the first reading of the renewal agreements will have to take place at the April 23 Council meeting.


Link to Mobility Committee webpage:
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/c ... 1-mobc.htm
Ann Kitchen
Council Member District 5