City of Somerville, Massachusetts - File #: 201267

• File #: 201267
• Version: 1
• Type: Public Communication
• Status: Placed on File
• File created: 4/12/2016
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 4/14/2016
• Final action: 7/14/2016
• Enactment date: 7/14/2016
• Enactment #: 201267
• Title: Green Cab requesting approval of an ordinance to require that taxicabs accept credit cards for fare payment, that taxicabs be also licensed as livery vehicles, and that street hails and taxi stands be permitted only for taxis.
• Related files: 201846

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/14/2016	5	City Council	Placed on file
7/12/2016	4	Traffic and Parking Committee	Approved
5/26/2016	3	City Council	Referred for recommendation
5/25/2016	2	Traffic and Parking Committee	Approved with conditions
4/14/2016	1	City Council	Referred for recommendation

Agenda Text
title
Green Cab requesting approval of an ordinance to require that taxicabs accept credit cards for fare payment, that taxicabs be also licensed as livery vehicles, and that street hails and taxi stands be permitted only for taxis.

body
Official Text
Dear Honorable Board of Alderman:
The taxi industry in Somerville would like to request the following ordinances be added to the Taxi Ordinances. We seek to adopt the City of Boston’s ordinance Rule 403, Section3, III, c, x. This ordinance requires that all taxicabs be equipped with electronic credit card processing equipment. In addition we would like to adopt the City of Cambridge Article XII, Rule #1 that designates that each Cambridge taxicab is also automatically licensed as a Cambridge Livery vehicle authorized to pick up passengers in Cambridge pursuant to a telephone or radio call or by pre-arrangement. This definition is also extended in Cambridge ordinances 5.20.450.
Although we already accept credit cards and have been since 2012, we feel it is important to mandate that each taxicab offers this form of payment to customers. Without this mandate it makes it impossible to enforce to licensed taxi drivers. We feel this would create an environment of compliance that would ultimately benefit the customer. The second ordinance would allow us to diversify and obtain much needed contracts to survive.
Here is a suggestion of how these ordinances would reach based on the adoption of the above ordinances from Boston and Cambridge:
1) All Somerville taxicabs shall be equipped with electronic credit card processing capability. Such equipment shall allow the passenger to swipe the card in the rear compartment of the taxicab without handing the card to the driver. Such equipment shall list fare, tolls, fees and tips separately for processing purposes. Such equipment shall have the ability to electronically authorize the transaction in a timely manner. Such equipment shall also provide a printed receipt....