Board of Appeals Upholds Taxi Commission’s Decision to Add 50 Medallions, Citing Accessible Service and Phased Rollout
Loading...
Summary
After hours of testimony from drivers, disability advocates and industry representatives, the San Francisco Board of Appeals voted 4–0 to uphold the Taxi Commission’s finding that 50 additional taxi permits (25 ramp-accessible, 25 alternative-fuel/hybrid) are needed; the commission will phase issuance to reduce disruption to drivers’ incomes.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on a 4–0 vote upheld the Taxi Commission’s decision to issue 50 new taxi medallions — 25 reserved for ramp-accessible vehicles and 25 for alternative-fuel or hybrid vehicles — after a contested hearing featuring driver testimony, industry representatives and disability advocates.
Heidi Bachin, the Taxi Commission’s executive director, told the board the commission conducted an eight-month review and concluded more taxis were necessary to improve response times. “Staff conservatively recommended 100,” Bachin said, “and the commission then reduced that number to 50 taxis, which would be restricted to 25 ramped disabled taxis and 25 of the alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles.” She said the commission plans to phase the permits into the market slowly to limit harm to drivers’ incomes.
The hearing drew a long line of drivers and stakeholder groups who told the board they were split over the proposal. Peter Witt, the appellant, criticized the commission’s survey methodology and disputed that permitting more cabs would improve service, calling some of the commission’s data handling “a relentless bait and switch.” Drivers and union representatives described tight margins, gate fees and competition from unregulated limousine services as threats to incomes; Grasshopper Taxicab Company representatives urged delay until limousines were addressed.
Advocates for people with disabilities pressed in the opposite direction. Joanna Fraguli, deputy director of the Mayor’s Office on Disability, said delays in issuing ramp taxis were hurting access to urgent medical appointments and other critical needs, and urged the board to allow the commission’s action to stand.
Board members pressed commission staff on how the 25/25 split was chosen and how quickly permits would be issued. Bachin said staff had recommended phasing permits in at roughly eight to ten per month so the industry could absorb the change. Commissioners also noted existing safeguards — such as meter rates set by the Board of Supervisors and the controller’s role if the board sought to increase medallion totals beyond the commission’s action.
A motion to uphold the Taxi Commission’s public convenience and necessity finding passed unanimously. The roll call as recorded: Commissioner Fung — Aye; Vice President Garcia — Aye; Commissioner Holland — Aye; President Knox — Aye. The board’s decision leaves intact the commission’s plan to add 50 medallions with the phased implementation the commission described.
What happens next: The Taxi Commission and its staff will implement the phased issuance. Advocates and driver groups signaled they will continue pressing for broader reforms — including central dispatch and enforcement of ramp-driver obligations — even as the city moves forward with new accessible and lower-emission vehicles.
(Reporting note: Quotations are taken verbatim from public testimony at the Board of Appeals hearing.)
