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Board of Appeals Upholds Taxi Commission—s Decision to Add 69 Medallions, 4-1
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on April 2 upheld the Taxi Commission—s decision to issue 69 additional medallions (phased at 10 per month), rejecting appeals that challenged the commission—s availability study and urging alternatives such as centralized dispatch and peak-time medallions.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on April 2 voted 4-1 to uphold the Taxi Commission—s decision to issue 69 additional taxi medallions, a move the commission says is meant to improve service across the city.
United Taxicab Workers and other appellants argued at a hearing that the Taxi Commission lacked clear and convincing evidence of a citywide shortage. Mark Gruberg of the United Taxicab Workers said availability surveys relied on flawed sampling that overstated the rate of "no-shows," and urged the board to consider alternatives such as centralized dispatch, peak-time medallions and targeted incentives for dispatch service.
"That survey was so badly flawed as to be virtually worthless," Gruberg said during oral argument, citing different methodologies and an independent dispatch study that suggested a far lower no-show rate.
Jordana Thigpen, acting director of the Taxicab Commission, defended the agency—s decision and described a range of steps the commission took to address service and safety. "The commission does have the responsibility to improve service for the people of the city and county of San Francisco, and it was in that spirit that it took the decision and made the decision to issue 69 additional medallions," Thigpen said. She pointed to rising demand, loss of parking, emission standards prompting fleet turnover and ongoing work on dispatch standards.
Drivers and industry representatives offered sharply divided testimony in a crowded public comment period. Several drivers warned adding supply could depress already low driver incomes and increase risky behavior during slow periods; others, including company operators and drivers who work dispatch, said the city needs more cabs to meet call volume, airport demand and tourist traffic.
Opponents urged a phased or conditional approach tied to a professionally conducted availability study and better dispatch standards. Supporters noted the resolution already builds in a phase-in (10 medallions per month) and said the commission considered environmental and enforcement goals in its decision.
On the board—s final vote, President Garcia moved to uphold the Taxi Commission, with Commissioners Knox, Peterson and Vice President Fung in the majority; Commissioner Holland dissented. The board recorded the outcome as 4 to 1 in favor of upholding the commission—s action. The commission—s resolution authorizing the medallions was implemented with the existing phase-in schedule.
What happens next: the Taxi Commission will implement the phase-in described in its resolution and continue work on dispatch standards and other service-improvement measures discussed during the hearing.
