Council updates taxi licensing rules to help local cab companies; changes do not apply to ride‑hailing apps

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.

Local taxi operators told the council they have updated online tools and rely on personalized service for customers who do not use apps. "We do door to door pickup and personalized service; we want to sustain this business," a taxi operator said. Staff emphasized municipalities are not permitted under state law to regulate TNCs, and administration staff pointed to Michelle Adams in Business License Administration as the unit that will administer and monitor taxi licenses. The council approved the amendments by roll-call votes and extended certain current license cycles for one year pending a larger ordinance rewrite.