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Committee approves ordinance change allowing smart taxi meters; officials say system can improve transparency
Summary
The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved BL2025‑812, amending Metro Code chapter 6.72 to allow smart taxi meters. Councilmembers discussed safety benefits, whether the technology should be mandatory, and how a smart taxi meter differs from rideshare tracking.
The committee voted to recommend approval of BL2025‑812, an ordinance amending chapter 6.72 of the Metropolitan Code to update taxicab requirements and to allow use of “smart taxi meters.” The committee also approved an amendment to standardize the term in the code.
Matt Purvis, NDOT council liaison, said the bill allows smart taxi meters that use real‑time GPS and app verification rather than hard‑wired vehicle meters. He said the technology provides “a lot more transparency with ridership” and “way more levels of security than your standard meter right now.” Purvis added that smart taxi meters typically still include a physical meter presence in the vehicle, but are tracked in real time like rideshare apps.
Councilmembers raised safety concerns and the problem of customers being charged flat, inflated fares in some cabs. Some members asked whether the city should require smart meters rather than allow them; Purvis said the Transportation Licensing Commission recommended an optional start with a potential phased mandate later.
The amendment (changing “smart meter” to “smart taxi meter” in definitions) passed 10‑0; the bill as amended was recommended for approval 10‑0.
