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Commission requires exterior fare and flat-rate display for vehicles without smart meters
Summary
The commission approved a change to Rule 2.238 requiring vehicles that lack smart meters to post fare and flat-rate information on the exterior, aiming to reduce confusion for visitors and address illegal flat-rate practices; smart-metered vehicles remain exempt.
The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission voted March 17 to amend rule language to require fare and flat-rate information be displayed on the exterior of vehicles that do not have smart meters. The limited reopening of the public hearing included one public commenter who supported exterior posting to help passengers see fares before boarding.
Director Rucker (staff) told commissioners the rule is intended to reduce confusion between limited, designated flat-rate routes (for example, specific airport and Opryland flows) and ordinary metered rides. He explained that the existing small rate card on the dashboard is difficult for passengers to read from the back seat and that exterior posting would make flat-rate conditions clearer to riders and visitors.
Commissioners discussed the geographic scope of flat-rate corridors (airport, Opryland/Music Valley Drive, and certain downtown/Wes End boundaries) and agreed the proposed language should specify that vehicles equipped with smart meters are exempt from the exterior-posting requirement. After a motion to adopt the proposed language to section 2.238 and a second, the commission approved the measure by voice vote.
Staff said the change aims to complement broader efforts to encourage adoption of smart meters, which produce clearer fare estimates similar to rideshare services. The commission encouraged staff to coordinate with transportation partners and tourism/merchant groups to publicize the change and help drivers and companies comply.
