§ 1017.5. Basic vehicle standards.
(Editor’s Note: Subsection (b)(12) has been recognized as invalid. Germantown Cab Company v. Philadelphia Parking Authority, 155 A.3d 669 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2017).)
(a) State vehicle standards. In addition to standards required under the act, this part and orders of the Authority, a taxicab must continually satisfy the applicable Department of Transportation equipment inspection standards in 67 Pa. Code Chapter 175 (relating to vehicle equipment and inspection) when providing taxicab service.
(b) Standard taxicab vehicle requirements. Each taxicab is subject to all of the following requirements:
(1) A taxicab must have four functioning and properly aligned doors which comply with the standards provided in 67 Pa. Code Chapter 175. The doors must have the following properly installed and maintained components:
(i) Functional exterior and interior door handles which are operable by passengers.
(ii) Intact door seals (door gaskets and doorway padding).
(iii) Functional windows which are operable by passengers.
(iv) Doors that open without resistance and close securely.
(v) Functional interior door locks which are operable by passengers.
(2) A medallion taxicab shall utilize the services of a dispatcher approved by the Authority under Chapter 1019 (relating to dispatchers) and dispatch-related equipment must function properly.
(3) A medallion taxicab must be equipped with operable technology that is approved by the Authority that facilitates two-way communication.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), the taxicab must have a functioning dome light firmly affixed to its roof. The dome light must be lit when the vehicle is available for service. The dome light must comply with the approved design submitted by the taxicab’s certified dispatcher under § 1019.7 (relating to name, colors and markings review).
(5) A rooftop-advertising panel with ends that illuminate to indicate when the taxicab is available for service may be used instead of the dome light, provided that the rooftop-advertising panel meets the requirements in subsection (e).
(6) A taxicab must display taxicab rates approved by the Authority as provided in section 5703 or 5720 of the act, or both (relating to rates; and wages).
(7) A taxicab must be equipped with operable seatbelts for every passenger and the driver.
(8) A taxicab must be equipped with a protective shield which separates the front seat from the back seat and bears the manufacturer’s name, or a safety camera system that is approved by the Authority as provided in § 1017.71 (relating to taxicab safety cameras). If a medallion taxicab certificate holder opts to install a protective shield, it must meet the following minimum requirements:
(i) The upper portion of the shield must extend from the top of the front seat to a point not more than 3 inches from the ceiling of the vehicle and must be constructed of a clear, see-through, bullet-resistant material.
(ii) The shield must have either a sliding window controlled by the vehicle operator and capable of being locked by the driver, or a payment exchange cup or tray or similar device which allows the operator to receive payment from passengers in the back seat of the vehicle without unduly exposing the vehicle operator to danger.
(iii) The upper portion of the shield may not obstruct the vehicle operator’s view of the road to the rear of the vehicle.
(iv) The lower portion of the shield must extend the full length of the front seat and be constructed of a bullet-resistant material.
(v) Both the upper and lower portions of the shield must extend from a point flush with the left hand side of the vehicle across the vehicle to a point flush with the right hand side of the vehicle.
(vi) The shield may not have an edge or projection protruding into the area where a passenger or driver will sit or move.
(vii) The shield must be installed in a manner which does not prevent voice communication between the vehicle operator and passengers in the vehicle.
(viii) The shield must be installed in a manner which allows heat and air conditioning to maintain the taxicab’s temperature at levels required under paragraph (14).
(ix) The shield must be sufficiently transparent to allow a passenger to easily read the meter and the taxicab driver’s certificate.
(9) A taxicab must be equipped with a meter approved for use as provided in § 1017.23 (relating to approved meters) and may not be equipped with a device that has the capability of allowing the meter to register a nonapproved rate.
(10) A taxicab may not be equipped with a push bumper.
(11) The interior, exterior and trunk compartment of a taxicab must be clean so as to present a positive appearance and to prevent possible transfer of dirt, dust, grease, paint or other markings to a passenger’s clothing or luggage. A taxicab must be free of objectionable odors. For example, a taxicab may not smell like urine, feces, animals, insects, decomposing organisms, poor human hygiene or garbage.
(12) Upholstery of a taxicab’s passenger seats may not be torn in excess of 3 inches or have protruding springs or other material capable of tearing a passenger’s skin or clothing. Passenger seat tears in excess of 3 inches shall be properly repaired and may not be mended with tape.
(13) A taxicab’s interior must consist of matching features, including door panels.
(14) A functioning air conditioner capable of keeping the interior of the taxicab at a constant temperature between 60° and 78° Fahrenheit.
(15) A taxicab must contain a legible commercially- produced map of the City of Philadelphia for use by the taxicab driver.
(16) A taxicab’s exterior paint must be in good repair and consistent with the colors and markings of the taxicab’s dispatcher, and the exterior of the vehicle may not have dents larger than 12 inches and may not have loose body panels or bumpers.
(17) In addition to other postings required by this subpart, a taxicab must have posted in the passenger compartment in a place easily observed by passengers, all of the following information:
(i) A prohibition against smoking, eating and drinking while in the taxicab.
(ii) The availability of noncash payment options.
(iii) Information in both written English and Braille on how to submit a taxicab service-related complaint to the Authority.
(iv) The taxicab’s dispatcher and the number assigned to the taxicab under § 1017.14 (relating to taxicab numbering).
(18) The Authority may require the installation of a separate heating and air conditioning system in a taxicab if necessary to comply with paragraph (14).
(19) A taxicab must have operational interior lights.
(20) A driver operating a taxicab and who transports a child anywhere in the taxicab shall comply with 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581 (relating to restraint systems).
(21) The taxicab must have a trunk or storage area large enough to accommodate a folded manual wheelchair.
(22) Properly affixed and matching hubcaps or wheel covers for all four tires.
(c) Interstate travel. No requirement of this subpart or any Authority regulation may be interpreted to disrupt or interfere with interstate commerce exclusively regulated by or pre-empted by the government of the United States.
(d) Smoking prohibited. Persons may not smoke in a taxicab.
(e) Advertising.
(1) The display of commercial advertisements on the exterior or interior of a taxicab is permitted only upon 72 hours advanced written notice by the medallion certificate holder to the Director and Manager of Enforcement prior to the display of the advertisement, which must include a color copy of the advertisement and a written description of the advertisement’s placement on or within the taxicab. The use of a rooftop-advertising panel as provided in subsection (b)(5) is excluded from the 72 hours advanced written notice requirement.
(2) Commercial advertisements, colors, markings and other displays required by this part must be securely fastened to the taxicab, may not obscure the driver’s view in any direction and may not violate any provision of 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to Vehicle Code) or 67 Pa. Code (relating to transportation).
(3) A commercial advertisement will not be permitted if it violates any requirement in § 1017.12 (relating to required markings and information).
(4) A commercial advertisement for display on the exterior or interior of a taxicab will not be permitted as follows:
(i) Advertisements that do not relate primarily to the economic interests of the publisher or its audience, or that do not direct attention to a business, industry, profession, commodity, service, activity, institution, product or entertainment offered for sale.
(ii) Advertisements relating to the sale or use of alcohol, tobacco products or firearms.
(iii) Advertisements that relate to sexually-oriented businesses, products or services.
(iv) Advertisements that are obscene or pornographic.
(v) Advertisements relating to political campaigns or ballot measures.
(vi) Advertisements that are false, misleading, defamatory or infringe on any copyright, trade or service mark, title or slogan.
(f) Inspection by medallion taxicab certificate holder. A medallion taxicab certificate holder shall inspect each of its taxicabs on a daily basis to confirm that the taxicab complies with this subpart. A medallion taxicab certificate holder may select a person to conduct the inspections required under this subsection on the medallion taxicab certificate holder’s behalf.
Authority The provisions of this § 1017.5 temporarily amended under 53 Pa.C.S. § 57B02.
Source The provisions of this § 1017.5 amended October 24, 2014, effective October 25, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6769; temporarily amended May 5, 2017, effective February 25, 2017, expire upon promulgation of final-form regulations or on November 5, 2018, whichever is later, as set forth in 53 Pa.C.S. § 57B02(b), 47 Pa.B. 2558. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (373995) to (373998).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 1017.31 (relating to vehicle inspections by the Authority); 52 Pa. Code § 1017.71 (relating to taxicab safety cameras); and 52 Pa. Code § 1021.11 (relating to driver requirements).
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