The San Francisco County Board of Supervisors is considering a resolution that urges the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to remove third-party dispatch from its taxi upfront fare pilot program. Sponsored by Supervisor Chan, the resolution aims to address concerns raised by taxi drivers regarding competition from rideshare companies like Uber.

During the meeting, Supervisor Chan explained that the resolution was initially introduced a year ago in anticipation of the pilot program's launch. The inclusion of third-party dispatch was seen as potentially creating an uneven playing field for taxi drivers, who might be pressured to accept fares that do not meet standard fare rates.

However, after discussions with stakeholders, including taxi drivers and SFMTA representatives, it became clear that third-party dispatch could also serve as a valuable tool for taxi drivers if data is collected and analyzed effectively. Supervisor Chan emphasized the importance of evaluating the pilot program's impact based on collected data, which SFMTA has been gathering for nearly a year.

The board decided to continue the discussion on this resolution until their last meeting in December, allowing for further evaluation of the data collected by SFMTA. This decision reflects a commitment to ensuring that any changes to the taxi fare system support the needs of local drivers while also considering the evolving landscape of transportation services in San Francisco.

As the board moves forward, the focus remains on balancing the interests of taxi drivers with the realities of a competitive market, ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of transportation in the city.