Notice of Taxicab Rate Review – Request for Public Comment

Notice To All Interested Parties:

On February 22, 2017, a Petition for Rate Change (“Petition”) was filed with the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (“Authority”) Taxicab and Limousine Division (“TLD”) requesting a change to the existing rates charged by taxicabs operating in Philadelphia.  A copy of the Petition may be downloaded here: Petition No. P-17-02-01.

The Petition requests, among other things, that:

1.) The Authority re-establish boundaries of all taxicab trips within the airport flat-rate zone;
2.) The minimum fare originating from PHL airport be increased from $11.00 to $20.00, which includes the $1.50 egress fee;
3.) A convenience fee of $1.00 be charged to a taxicab customer using a credit card, or in the alternative, a 5% convenience fee be charged to a taxicab customer using a credit card;
4.) The mileage and waiting time increments be increased from $0.23 to $0.25;
5.) A $0.50 per trip “rush hour” surcharge be added to all taxicab fares between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and between 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and
6.) Taxicab drivers be provided the option of charging a $35.00 cleaning fee to a taxicab passenger that vomits or intentionally incapacities the inside of a taxicab from the use of other riders.

The TLD will formally request to the Authority on March 24, 2017 to approve the reopening of a rate investigation. Contingent upon the Authority’s approval, the TLD is now seeking information and comment from the public-at-large, members of the taxicab, limousine and dispatcher industry, prospective and current technology vendors and any other interested parties regarding the Petition.

The TLD will hold a public comment hearing concerning the Petition on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Independence Visitor Center, Liberty View Ballroom, 2nd Floor, at 1 N. Independence Mall West, 6th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106. This notice will also be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 18, 2017.

The TLD requests that all comments that are to be presented at the public comment hearing also be submitted in writing either before or at the hearing to the attention of: Christine Kirlin, Esq., Administrative Counsel, at [email protected]; or by mail to her attention at: Philadelphia Parking Authority, Taxicab and Limousine Division, 2415 S. Swanson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148-4113.

The TLD very much appreciates your input concerning this matter. Thank you.

Michael Casey, Director
Taxicab and Limousine Division
2415 S. Swanson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
T: 215-683-9417
F: 215-683-9437
[email protected]