City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: TARRENCE MOORER, INTERIM DIRECTOR, T&ES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend Section 9-12-81 (Requirements for Vehicles) and Section 9-12-132 (Amount of Fare to be Charged) of Chapter 12 (Taxicabs and Other Vehicles for Hire) of Title 9 (Licensing and Regulation). [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend taxi requirements related to the maximum age of a vehicle and the initial meter charge.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council consider the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading and schedule it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
BACKGROUND: The City has regulated the taxicab industry for many decades according to regulations established in the City Code. This industry has been significantly impacted by the introduction of ride-hailing businesses such as Uber and Lyft that have grown exponentially over the last decade. More recently, the industry continues to suffer from impacts associated with the pandemic. In 2021, the City Council approved several changes to the taxicab requirements in the City Code that greatly reduced fees paid to the City by taxi companies and drivers and reduced some regulation and oversight by the City on the industry.
In November 2022, staff presented the City's Biennial Review of the taxi industry (Attachment 3) to the Traffic and Parking Board, which is required by City Code to consider the "economic condition of the taxicab industry, the adequacy of public service rendered by the industry, and whether any changes to the regulation of the industry are necessary or desirable". During this review, staff noted the positive impact of the previous changes and identified two additi...
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