City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 25, 2017
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading, and Final Passage of Ordinances Amending Title 9 (Licensing and Regulation), Chapter 12 (Taxicabs and Other Vehicles for Hire) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as Amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Market conditions impacting the taxicab industry.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the proposed ordinances (1) increasing the amount of time a taxicab authorization can be vacant before termination from 90 days to 18 months and (2) increasing the age limit for taxicab vehicles from eight model years to ten model years of age for standard vehicles, and 12 model years for hybrid vehicles on first reading and set them for public hearing, and final passage on January 28, 2016.
BACKGROUND: City Code Section 9-12-31 requires that the Traffic and Parking Board and City Manager conduct a biennial review of the taxicab industry in Alexandria. As part of this review, the Traffic and Parking Board holds a public hearing to receive testimony from industry representatives and the public as to the economic condition of the industry, the adequacy of public service provided and necessary or desirable changes in the regulation of the industry, including the number of taxicabs authorized for each company and a review of the City's taxicab fares.
The Traffic and Parking Board held the Biennial Review on November 14, 2016 and heard testimony from five individuals representing drivers and companies. The main theme of the testimony was the declining taxicab market resulting from Transportation Network Companies ("TNCs" which is the generic term for companies such as Uber and Lyft) and how the loss in business is creating a challenging environment f...
Click here for full text