Council updates taxi licensing rules to help local cab companies; changes do not apply to ride‑hailing apps
Council approved targeted amendments to the taxi ordinance: lowering the minimum drivers/cabs threshold, allowing mobile dispatch, and extending current license cycles while a broader code review continues. City legal staff emphasized state law excludes TNCs like Uber and Lyft from local taxicab regulation.
The full story
The South Bend Common Council on July 27 approved amendments to the city’s taxicab licensing ordinance aimed at easing burdens on local taxi companies while staff prepares a comprehensive code review. Assistant city attorney Jenna Throe and Council member Rachel Thomas Morgan presented changes to adopt the state law definition of "taxicab" (which excludes transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft), allow a mobile dispatch option instead of requiring a physical dispatch office, permit licensed taxi companies to close between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. if needed, and reduce the minimum required cabs/drivers from six to four.
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