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Council committee advances narrow changes to taxi rules to help cab operators
Summary
Limited amendments would align the City taxicab definition with state law (excluding TNCs), allow mobile dispatch and optional overnight closure, reduce minimum fleet size from six to four, and extend certain license expirations to Sept. 2027 while a comprehensive review continues.
Council Member Rachel Thomas Morgan and Assistant City Attorney Jenna Thoreau presented narrow, targeted amendments meant to help remaining taxicab operators while the city undertakes a broader ordinance review.
Thoreau said the changes are limited: define ‘‘taxicab’’ to match state law (so TNCs like Uber and Lyft are not regulated as taxicabs), permit mobile dispatch locations rather than require a fixed physical office, allow licensees to close between 2 and 5 a.m. if they choose rather than require 24-hour dispatch, reduce the minimum required number of cabs/drivers from six to four, and extend a cohort of licenses expiring this September so they instead expire in September 2027.
A taxi operator who identified himself as Andrew told the committee he and other local operators have seen fleet sizes fall sharply since 2011, and he urged two-year licensing and consultation with existing companies as the city proceeds. "We've experienced severe disruption from the rideshare services ... we still love this city, and we'd like to have a presence in this community," he said.
The committee took the item up for public hearing; the presenter said the changes are intended to preserve a functional taxi service while staff and council complete a comprehensive ordinance review.
The item will move forward for further consideration and the committee asked staff for contact information for local taxi companies ahead of subsequent discussions.
