NOTICES
PHILADELPHIA
PARKING AUTHORITY
Petition for Changes to Taxicab Tariff; Doc. No. 22-002
[53 Pa.B. 689]
[Saturday, January 28, 2023]
Order By the Authority:
The Authority is the sole regulator of all taxicab, limousine and transportation network company services in Philadelphia.1 The Authority is empowered to conduct rate investigations and determine the rates that shall be charged by all taxicabs authorized to provide call or demand service in Philadelphia.2
On June 28, 2022, the Authority authorized the Taxicab and Limousine Division (''TLD'') to amend the open rate investigation3 to gather information and comment concerning the amended petition for a rate change that was filed with the TLD seeking:
''an increase in the Airport flat rate from $28.50 to $32.00. Petitioner further request that the minimum fare from the Airport increase from $11.00 to $20.00. Both of these amendments will offset the reduction in fares, escalating fuel and consumer prices, and the rising cost of vehicle maintenance.''4Currently, the taxicab tariff allows for a flat rate of $28.50 to be charged to and from5 the Philadelphia International Airport (''Airport'') and the Center City Zone, as defined by the tariff in lieu of the metered rate charged by medallion taxicabs (hereinafter ''Flat Rate'').6 Additionally, the current taxicab tariff sets a minimum fare of $11.00 for any medallion taxicab trip starting an Airport taxicab stand. The Airport egress fee of $1.50 is included in both the Flat Rate and minimum fare.
The TLD sought written comments from the industry members and the general public concerning the aforementioned rate changes.7 A total of ninety-four (94) comments were received from the general public and industry members alike and 52% of the comments were in support of the TLD's recommendations of increasing the Airport flat rate as proposed and increasing the minimum fare to only $12.00.
The TLD investigated the proposed changes. The TLD gathered data concerning the number of taxicabs in service, number of trips being provided to and from the Airport, the current state of the market, comparable rates provided by other for-hire transportation services and ramifications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based upon review of all information received and recommendation of TLD staff, Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved and Ordered by the Board of the Authority as follows:
Section 1. Rate Changes.
(a) Effective February 6, 2023, the current taxicab tariff is to be amended as follows:
1. The Flat Rate from the Center City Zone to the Airport is $32.00 per one way trip regardless of the number of passengers;
2. The Flat Rate from the Airport to the Center City Zone is $32.00 per one way trip for one (1) passenger. A $1.00 per passenger surcharge for each additional passenger after the first will be added to the meter after the flat rate fee is engaged on the meter by the driver after leaving the Airport. This applies only to passengers over the age of twelve (12). If the trip necessitates a drop-off at more than one destination in the Center City Zone, the following applies: the flat rate and all additional per passenger surcharges of $1.00 each are to be collected upon departure of the first passenger in the Center City Zone. The driver will then reset the meter initiating a new flag drop using the standard meter rates for each of the remaining passengers if each requires a separate drop-off.
3. The minimum fare that will include the egress fee for any trip starting at an Airport taxicab stand shall be $12.00.
(b) All other rates as outlined in the current taxicab tariff shall remain unchanged.
Section 2. Action by Taxicab and Limousine Division.
(a) The TLD staff shall broadcast this Order to all members of the taxicab industry by email as well as posting it on the Authority's website and within TLD Headquarters along with depositing this Order with the Pennsylvania Bulletin for publishing.
Section 3. Rate Review Investigation.
The rate review investigation that was reopened on March 30, 2021, as amended on June 28, 2022, is now closed.
BETH C. GROSSMAN, Esq.,
ChairpersonALFRED W. TAUBENBERGER,
Vice ChairpersonORDER ADOPTED: January 17, 2023
ORDER ENTERED: January 17, 2023
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 23-138. Filed for public inspection January 27, 2023, 9:00 a.m.] _______
1 See the act of July 16, 2004, (P.L. 758, No. 94), 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5701 et seq., as amended, (the ''act'')
2 See 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 5703 and 5720 (relating to rates, wages).
3 On March 30, 2021, the Authority authorized the reopening of a rate investigation per a Petition for Rate Change filed by then taxicab driver Ronald Blount (''Petitioner'') on March 8, 2021 and listed on TLD Docket No. P-21-03-01. The March 8, 2021 Petition sought to allow for an upfront flex fare pricing model through the Authority approved taxicab Curb smartphone application. The Authority approved the upfront flex fare on June 28, 2022 through Authority Order No. 22-001. However, on May 12, 2022, Petitioner filed an amended petition requesting the rate review to be also include changes to the rates relating to trips to and from the Philadelphia International Airport.
4 See TLD Docket No. P-21-03-01 Amended Petition for Rate Change, filed by taxicab driver Ronald Blount on May 12, 2022.
5 On a flat rate trip from the Airport to the Center City Zone, a $1.00 per each additional passenger after the first passenger will be added to the meter after the flat rate is engaged on the meter by the driver after leaving the Airport.
6 The Center City Zone is defined in the current taxicab tariff by boundaries, which may be obtained on the TLD's website at https://philapark.org/taxicab-tariffs/.
7 Per the Authority Board's directive on June 28, 2022, the TLD notified the public and all members of the Philadelphia taxicab industry of its intention to receive input from all concerned parties during a comment period regarding the Amended Petition requests. All notices were accomplished by email on July 14, 2022 and August 4, 2022 to all regulated persons that have a registered email address with the TLD, publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 9, 2022 along with posting on the TLD's website www.philapark.org/tld. Furthermore, as directed by the Authority Board on November 15, 2022, the TLD and PPA staff conducted a social media campaign for the solicitation of comments, which ran from December 22, 2022 through January 11, 2023.
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