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Taxicab Authority seeks savings as ridership flattens; officials raise possible merger with Nevada Transportation Authority
Summary
Facing revenue pressure from TNCs and the pandemic, the Taxicab Authority proposed equipment and staffing changes, said it will preserve taxi assistance funding, and acknowledged the possibility of a future merger with the Nevada Transportation Authority to stabilize finances.
The Taxicab Authority told legislators it is a self-funded regulator whose revenue has been depressed by ride-hailing companies and the pandemic, and that continued flat ridership will require careful planning to preserve core programs.
Administrator Todd Park said the authority permits roughly 4,500 drivers and performs more than 11,000 vehicle inspections annually, but that trips and revenues declined after transportation network companies (TNCs) entered Nevada and again during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We're almost back to pre-pandemic ridership again, but not quite," Park said, and told the committee the agency must make some reductions and efficiency moves.
Budget changes presented included routine equipment replacement, a request for psychological testing tied to a planned enforcement hire, replacement of outdated enforcement weapons required by collective bargaining, and elimination of two vacant compliance investigator positions in light of flat ridership and revenues. Park said the authority can operate with the current staff levels but hopes to restore positions when revenue improves.
Several legislators pressed Park on longer-term options. Director Chris Sanchez and Park both mentioned that merging the Taxicab Authority with the Nevada Transportation Authority has been discussed for many years and could be necessary if revenue shortfalls persist. Sanchez said the department is "starting to really look at" a merger as the taxi account approaches a point where revenues may not cover expenses in FY27.
Park also assured the committee that the taxi-assisted-paratransit program (TAP), which provides taxi vouchers for aging and disabled residents and routes funds to the Aging and Disability Services Division, is a high priority and would be preserved under current planning.
Ending: Park said he will work with industry and bring a legislative proposal this session to stabilize the authority’s finances; committee members requested more detail on near-term solutions and asked the authority to deliver proposals during the session.
