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Board denies rehearing for revocation of SF American Taxicab dispatch permit
Summary
The Board of Appeals denied a rehearing request from SF American Taxicab, upholding SFMTA’s prior revocation of a dispatch permit; the board found the appellant did not present new, material facts that would justify rehearing.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted 3–1 on June 10 to deny a rehearing request from SF American Taxicab and to uphold the SFMTA’s earlier revocation of the company’s dispatch permit.
Attorney Julius Terman said multiple small cab companies sought to transfer vehicles to American’s dispatch and that SFMTA had blocked those transfers, impairing the firm’s ability to comply. He told the board that a number of independent operators were prepared to join American dispatch if permitted. "These taxi cab companies are in essence grasped before their very ability to do business," he said, urging the board to consider the industry impact.
Jarvis Murray, Enforcement and Legal Affairs Manager for SFMTA Taxi Services, urged denial of the rehearing, saying the Board’s rehearing standard requires new, material facts that could not have been produced earlier. Murray said the agency had worked with American for more than a year, that the appellant had delays and opportunities to present evidence previously, and that the new material now submitted could and should have been offered at earlier proceedings.
Multiple drivers and small‑dispatch owners addressed the board during public comment, urging the board to give small operators a chance to remain viable amid ride‑hail competition. Board members expressed sympathy for small operators but said the rehearing standard is narrow. Commissioner Fung moved to deny the rehearing request because the appellant did not produce new evidence, and the motion passed 3–1 with Vice President Honda dissenting.
The Board’s action preserves the SFMTA revocation as previously decided; the transcript indicates that an appellant could reapply for a new dispatch permit but would not automatically regain the revoked permit.
