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Taxi operators press board for rate-review support; confusion remains on ordinance effective date and notice
Summary
Taxi operators asked the Passenger Vehicle Record Board to support a proposed fare increase and to clarify whether a recently passed rate ordinance is effective.
Taxi industry representatives told the Passenger Vehicle Record Board on Nov. 6 they are seeking support for a prospective fare increase and expressed confusion over whether a recently passed ordinance increasing rates is in effect.
Jonathan Easter of New Taxi said he had met with Chris Anderson and Councilman Ron Elliott and sought the board—s help in recommending a rate increase to City Council; he presented comparative market research showing Chattanooga fares trailing other cities. "I—ve been actively working on increasing for the last 6 roughly," Easter said, asking for a fresh recommendation from the board to City Council.
Board members moved and seconded a motion to place a discussion about a potential rate increase on the board—s December agenda so other operators could be present and materials could be reviewed. The motion carried.
Industry representatives then raised a separate concern: attendees said City Council had approved a rate schedule on second reading and asked when the regulatory unit would publish an effective date and notify operators. Mark Shackleford said the ordinance had passed City Council on second reading "two city council meetings ago" and asked whether the regulatory unit would publish a notice. Regulatory staff (Bertha) and others explained that ordinances are typically uploaded via Municode and that there can be a delay between Council passage and online publication; staff also said they would attempt to confirm the ordinance effective date and notify operators if an effective date was established.
Why it matters: Taxi-rate changes affect drivers, companies and passengers. Operators said they have not had increases in many years and sought the board—s procedural help getting proposals to Council and clarity about when new rates may be charged.
Next steps: The board added the rate review to the December agenda and asked staff to follow up with Chris Anderson and the regulatory unit to confirm whether and when the new ordinance (if passed by Council) is effective and to issue industry notice if appropriate.
