[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6115312,"mediaKeyId","2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b","parentId",2739333,"title","MTLC recommends allowing smart taxi meters, removes mandatory transition deadline from draft ordinance","audioSeconds",2356,"startMs",2469000,"endMs",4825000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b&start=2469&end=4825","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b/thumbnail_2469000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115312/Tennessee/MTLC-recommends-allowing-smart-taxi-meters-removes-mandatory-transition-deadline-from-draft-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115312-dbf6e0df4bd88093cab7c80ff10f3654/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195767&Signature=ml1qbOjrgZFxQrH7ggJBEm~fboowQeb0VGzMC51o2nHQG3kVkZ1mGjmk-bxa1u9ldHp3ywsSRVKgdbNKaXr-A--4AD~ZdI-DE8~1GPAclVhvqNicfpCps19fhLAT9rTgb3bn2ZRJZhuK3sDLYRSIFSIawpiwq0eP6syrZYOsKRa~2whEEO~MKfiB69MhWvrHSEZxhCDmmH8NzJSMTNXze2Hof-mMbfKGpfAJbyvi7kQrm-rhIdqmOO1T4auSL8I59G297H5ru0pFMnJEokuZ3U4~y-mwSnG3rzgjJ4lF76K4aGeRIA46CDBsExHCQm2iLfW4KaWcY4-du38UdcIIeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-03-22T20:41:43.35Z","article","The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission voted to advise Metro Council to amend Metro code 6.72 to allow either traditional hardwired taximeters or app-based “smart” meters for taxi service, and to omit the sections of the draft ordinance that would have set a mandatory transition deadline for all companies.

Commissioners, staff and taxi industry representatives spent more than an hour debating whether the change would reduce passenger overcharging, how quickly companies could afford new hardware and whether permitting the technology would create a de facto advantage for providers that already use app-based systems. MTLC staff framed the proposal as both a clarification to existing law and a step toward “a better standard of accountability” by enabling smart-meter technology, which staff said is in use in cities such as New York, Seattle and Chicago.

\"Smart meters would ... give me a price and it would tell me what that price is,\" MTLC staff said while explaining the consumer-transparency benefits of an app-based system. That transparency was the main argument in favor: if a passenger can see a pre-calculated fare on a phone, they can more easily contest an overcharge at the end of a ride.

Industry speakers were split. Doug Trimble, manager at Yellowcab, told the commission, \"Equipment change is not going to solve anything,\" arguing that drivers who choose not to run meters could also avoid turning on smart-meter apps, and that many taxi owners will face substantial installation costs. A representative who identified himself as Hassan, speaking for Chekat Kap and Music-city Checker, said the current installed meter and top-light equipment costs about $1,200 per vehicle (installation and wiring), and added the exterior decal and labor take the total per vehicle higher.

Commissioners asked staff to provide additional data on several topics before a mandatory timetable is set: hard-dollar estimates of initial installation costs per vehicle and for representative fleets; examples from other cities showing how the technology reduced overcharging; and clarification on whether MTLC would have access to app-generated trip records when investigating complaints.

After debate, a motion passed directing MTLC staff to forward the ordinance package to Metro Council but with subsections that mandated an implementation deadline removed. Commissioners also requested that staff reintroduce the transition timeline (if any) later, with additional cost and implementation information. The commission indicated it would add a May agenda item to revisit any mandatory transition schedule.

The commission did not adopt a mandatory conversion date at this meeting; staff had proposed January 1, 2027 (with discussion of alternate dates ranging from July 2027 to January 2028), but the commission removed those deadline provisions for Council consideration and asked for more information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/20/25 Transportation Licensing Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission voted to advise Metro Council to amend Metro code 6.72 to allow either traditional hardwired taximeters or app-based “smart” meters, and removed proposed mandatory transition deadlines from the draft ordinance.","taxTitle","Transportation Licensing Commission Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",73014,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115304,"MTLC approves consent items and adopts rule changes on vehicle registration and notice period",1036,509000,1545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b&start=509&end=1545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b/thumbnail_509000.jpg","/articles/6115304/Tennessee/MTLC-approves-consent-items-and-adopts-rule-changes-on-vehicle-registration-and-notice-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115304-665df4ff3a859cfb3150ac82498d3de5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195767&Signature=gCpRwSlGojo9xArPWo6BCuOxA~S0T69Bu-gPN-H3TOIsuPFdWvuY9XmIDrOqKPFMSVkxi6qqMnvKaKt9fKUB8P6CcTyDHCJvYeye5gxJkpqlJnAPbwc46ZpkwCvjl5mAUo2FPfRQYa0-4mAiVazd8objo239ybs31lVEaGYuGzNaSNMQ6RKLtaSf~Lk72qI-ImUTh328oJg-D8n1orvMvffxtGRFdxQ9XO5eHNrIuuCiDs08M7QRXO-WiG2qFyAihFMSqGJZv8te9YvqW7CsxO5FEzd09RrYV7kaeCaS8Uy0dFIxpflE7Z4JJ8QJggqKsBuJQ9E5XFObFx4vxRCHrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting the Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission approved routine consent business, including minutes from the February meeting, 19 new passenger vehicle-for-hire (OPVH) company applications, and a request to modify ownership for Executive Limo LLC to add a partner.

Staff told commissioners that 505 OPVH companies remain licensed with approximately 750 vehicles, and that 150 companies did not reapply in the previous renewal cycle. Staff recommended approval of the 19 new applications after verifying paperwork and insurance.

Separately, commissioners adopted a rule amendment to MTLC rule §1.113 to require vehicle registration be submitted at the time of application rather than relying on title alone. The change was presented as a clarification intended to remove longstanding confusion about acceptable proof of ownership.

Commissioners also voted to amend MTLC rule §1.118 to require 14 calendar days' notice before proposed rule changes are posted, with a final sentence giving the executive director the authority to waive the notice requirement for emergent situations (the motion specified \"this rule may be waived for emergent situations by the executive director of the MTLC or his or her designee\"). Staff and Metro Legal advised that the proposed 14-day posting supplements, but does not conflict with, the state Open Meetings Act (which requires at least 48 hours' notice), and that the emergency-waiver language preserves the commission's ability to respond quickly if warranted.

Other ministerial actions approved included a motion to reschedule the October MTLC meeting from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23 to avoid a fall break quorum problem.

Votes were recorded by voice; for each consent and rule item the motion carried with no recorded opposition on the public record.","The commission approved routine consent items — including minutes and 19 new vehicle-for-hire company applications — and adopted two rule changes: requiring vehicle registration at time of application (MTLC rule §1.113) and amending the notice rule (MTLC rule §1.118) to require 14-day posting with an emergency-waiver provision.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115308,"MTLC defers B & T disciplinary hearing after new owner requests time to investigate insurance allegations",816,546000,1362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b&start=546&end=1362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739333-f38eef15eca80d082a7033f39efacf3b/thumbnail_546000.jpg","/articles/6115308/Tennessee/MTLC-defers-B-T-disciplinary-hearing-after-new-owner-requests-time-to-investigate-insurance-allegations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115308-428d39c273acb3437568ba8bb9996f93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195767&Signature=QWLbT~QXrYxoFWEa3yJk2cNETd0yaeWiKGuU8OQIFWqUPE05td-mPscfObzlInbCvGJe5xOBwLBwhgfO9kFdrz7QG1xG97WNY1UAZP8EP5HR4gAqIqbuJZGCsHXdDgkA3OlETfRQhKqNm0s0GbjHTr-lzyStdjH16aofUzcTvwBYljD7KGIlsv8MXspCFdH9xbWUlmQPUyvQRho0Y9Z5hqC3y5JJ6zsfvPuadW2WwLpYpvjQ9n4MCDyDBmvGPY4mA~MF8fbCQUjfPpcGRRVSWJUgbIpgXyiXLgRSBwv3LDWxK7bcO8dVdKiY02THjFbWqf9fUjUHKa1v01oDMRnkuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission agreed to defer a disciplinary hearing involving B and T Transportation after the company's incoming counsel asked for a one-meeting postponement to review newly issued allegations.

Alex Dickerson of Thompson Burton, speaking for Rowdy Bus as the buyer that has contracted to acquire B and T, told the commission the violation letter — received about March 11 — alleges the company \"did not have commercial liability insurance for a period of time\" earlier this year. Ronnie Stevenson, who identified himself as the current owner of B and T Transportation, said he preferred to proceed immediately but acknowledged the commission's practice of honoring deferral requests in some circumstances.

Staff recommended deferral so the prospective owners could gather records and determine whether a violation occurred before defending at hearing. Commissioners discussed whether any disciplinary sanction could have practical effect if the company's ownership were changing; Metro Legal and staff noted suspension or revocation of operating permits could apply to current permit holders even amid ownership transfer, depending on the structure of the sale.

After discussion, a motion to defer the disciplinary matter to the May meeting carried. The commission instructed staff to place the item on the May agenda for a full violation hearing and to note the board's interest in receiving ownership-transfer documents and insurance history as part of the hearing record.","The MTLC voted to defer a disciplinary hearing against B and T Transportation to the May meeting after newly involved counsel said the company needed time to investigate allegations that it lacked commercial liability insurance for a period earlier this year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

MTLC recommends allowing smart taxi meters, removes mandatory transition deadline from draft ordinance

MTLC approves consent items and adopts rule changes on vehicle registration and notice period

MTLC defers B & T disciplinary hearing after new owner requests time to investigate insurance allegations