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Taxi Meter Drop Charge Rate Change

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Taxi Meter Drop Charge Rate Change

Document Code No.: FIN 8-6 (PR)
Department/Issuing Agency: Department of Executive Services / Records and Licensing Services Division
Effective date: November 12, 2014
Expiration date: April 11, 2015
Type of Action: New Emergency Rule
Approved: /s/ Caroline Whalen

Signed document (PDF, 120KB)

SUBJECT TITLE:     

1.1       EFFECTIVE DATE:  November 12, 2014

1.2       TYPE OF ACTION:  New

1.3       KEY WORDS: (1) Taxicab; (2) Rates Display; (3) Taxi Meter; (4) Meter Rate; (5) Drop Charge

2.0       PURPOSE:     Adjust the Taxi Meter rate drop charge established in KCC 6.64.760 (4) so that the drop charge includes the $0.10 Wheelchair Accessible Fee Surcharge established under K.C.C. 6.64.111.

3.0       ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:   

3.1  Owners and/or Drivers of Taxicabs Licensed by King County

3.2  For-hire Licensing Unit, Records and Licensing Services Section

3.3  Taxicab passengers

4.0       REFERENCES:

4.1 Reference Documents:   King County Code 6.64.760  Rates – requirements - rules adoption

5.0       DEFINITIONS:

Not Applicable

6.0       POLICIES:    

6.1.  The following apply to taxicab rates:

6.1.1.  The taximeter rates governed by this rule apply when a taxicab is not operating on an application dispatch system.    

6.1.2.  A taxicab shall have one rate on its meter, except a taxicab licensed by both the city of Seattle and King County shall have two rates on its meter.

6.1.3.  Except for special or contract rates as provided for in K.C.C. 6.64.760 and this rule, any per trip fee established by the Port of Seattle and set forth in any operating agreement or tariff, any toll or charge established for roads, bridges, tunnel or ferries, or when operating on an application dispatch system, it shall be unlawful for anyone operating a taxicab licensed by King County to charge, demand or receive any greater or lesser rate than the following:

            Meter rate

    a.

drop charge:  for passengers for first 1/9 mile

2.60

    b.

per mile:  for each 1/9 mile or fraction thereof after the first 1/9 mile

$0.30

    c.

for every one minute of waiting time:  waiting time rates are charged when taxicab speed is less than twelve miles per hour or when customer asks for taxicab to wait

$0.50 (charged at $0.30 per 36 seconds)

    d.

extra charge for passengers over two persons, excluding children under twelve years of age

$0.50

    e.

special rates and contract rates as defined in this chapter shall be calculated as a percentage of the meter rate or a fixed dollar amount per trip.

 

      (1)

all special rates must be filed with the director on a form furnished by the director.

 

      (2)

all meter rates, special rates or contract rates shall be filed once a year at the time of annual application by the taxicab association.

 

      (3)

licensees may change any filed special rate no more than once a year.

 

      (4)

rates for new contracts acquired or changed during the license year shall be filed within two weeks of filing the contract and before implementing the contracted rate.  Contracts must be between taxicab associations or owners and legal business entities.

 

6.1.4.  The rates specified in this section shall not apply to transportation of persons provided pursuant to a written contract that establishes a fare at a different rate for specified transportation and that has been previously filed with the director.  No contract may include any provision that directly or indirectly requires exclusive use of the transportation services of the contracting taxicab or for-hire vehicle.

6.1.5.  It is unlawful to make any discriminatory charges to any person or to make any rebate or in any manner reduce the charge to any person, unless the charge conforms to the discounts or surcharges contained in the filed rates.

6.1.6.  It is unlawful under the Americans with Disabilities Act to charge a special service vehicle rate that is different from the taxicab rates adopted in subsection A. of this section, except in those instances where the transportation of disabled persons is pursuant to a written contract as specified in subsection D. of this section. 

7.0       PROCEDURES:

7.1 Action By: Taxicab Owners        

Action: Prior to providing service on the effective date (November 12), work with a City of Seattle approved taximeter installer to adjust the taximeter to reflect the new Drop Charge of $2.60, drive to an inspection facility at the time and location communicated by the Director, and complete the meter inspection and re-sealing process conducted by a county or City of Seattle inspector. 

7.2 Action By: For-hire Licensing Unit

Action:  Coordinate with the City of Seattle to establish multiple inspection events on or about 3:00 AM the morning of November 12, 2014.  Inspect and seal all Taxicab meters operating with County only Taxicab Licenses, or that are also licensed by the County.

8.0       RESPONSIBILITIES:

8.1 For-hire Licensing Unit

8.1.1  Coordinate with the City of Seattle and schedule multiple simultaneous events to inspect and reseal Taxicab Meters operating in King County on the Effective Date.

8.2 Taxicab Owners/Drivers

8.2.1  Adjust meter Drop Charge to $2.60 and complete the meter update process by submitting the taxicab meter for inspection and resealing at a date and time communicated by the Director and/or City of Seattle. 

9.0       APPENDICES:  None

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