Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to taxis, for-hire vehicles and drivers; amending Ordinance 10498, Section 6, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.025 and Ordinance 10498, Section 95, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.760 and declaring an emergency.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. Effective January 1, 2012, Chapter 190, Laws of Washington 2011 mandates that taxicab, limousine, for hire vehicle businesses and for hire vehicle operators be subject to industrial insurance premiums.
B. The law requires that any city, town, county or port district which sets rates for taxicab services must adjust rates to accommodate the cost of industrial insurance or other industry-wide costs.
C. King County has an interlocal agreement with seventeen cities and the port of Seattle to regulate and provide taxicab service for these jurisdictions and for unincorporated King County.
D. Approximately five hundred seventy taxicabs are licensed by King County and many of those are also licensed by the city of Seattle.
E. On July 23, 2012, the city of Seattle enacted Ordinance 123939, raising taxicab rates and fees in accordance with Washington state law.
F. Because of this ordinance (Proposed Ordinance 2012-0222), nine hundred twenty-six vehicles need to have their meters reset, sealed and inspected. By agreement the city of Seattle inspects and certifies all vehicles for King County.
G. The city of Seattle has scheduled the inspections of all nine hundred twenty-six taxicab meters for September 10, 2012.
H. The King County council declares an emergency for purposes of approving this legislation to avoid hardship on the public and taxicab drivers.
I. The King County council recognizes that there are several policies related to taxicab operations in King County that require updating, some of which were included in the executive's transmitted version of this ordinance. Due to the time constraints related to fee and rate adjustments, the council is moving forward with enacting new fees and rates and encourages the executive to transmit separate legislation covering all other related policy matters for council consideration as soon as possible.
SECTION 2. Ordinance 10498, Section 6, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.025 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Taxicab or for-hire vehicle license
Taxicab $450.00
Wheelchair accessible taxicab No fee
Taxicab late fee $45.00
For-hire vehicle $450.00
For-hire vehicle late fee $45.00
Vehicle equipment change $75.00
Change of owner: July/Dec $450.00
Jan/June $225.00
Replace taxicab plate $25.00
Vehicle inspection rescheduling fee $25.00
B. For-hire driver
Taxicab and for-hire license $95.00
Late fee $15.00
ID photo $5.00
Fingerprinting per charge authorized by RCW 10.97.100
Replacement license $5.00
Training fee per contract
Rescheduling fee $15.00
SECTION 3. Ordinance 10498, Section 95, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.760 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
A. The rates for taxicabs licensed to operate in King County shall be established by the King County council.
B. In reviewing rates, the council may take into account, among other things, and with the objective of prescribing a just and reasonable rate, the following factors:
1. The recommendations of the director pursuant to K.C.C. ((6.68.740)) 6.64.740, if any;
2. The public need for adequate taxi service at the lowest level of charges consistent with the provision, maintenance and continuation of such a service;
3. The rates of other licensees operating in similar areas;
4. The effect of such rates upon transportation of passengers by other modes of transportation;
5. The licensee's need for revenue of a level ((which)) that under honest, efficient and economical management is sufficient to cover the cost, including all operating expenses, depreciation accruals, rents, license fees and taxes of every kind, of providing adequate taxi service, plus an amount equal to a percentage of the cost that is reasonably necessary for the replacement of deteriorated taxicabs and a reasonable profit to the licensee; and
6. Consistency of rates with those prescribed by the city of Seattle.
C. Every taxicab service organization affiliated representative or vehicle licensee in the case of an independent owner shall file with the director rates to be charged for the services of affiliated taxicabs it operates. Affiliated taxicabs shall have no more than one rate filed for the service organization or group of taxicabs operating under the same trade name. No dual licensed taxicab shall have more than ((one)) two rates on its meter.
D. Except for special or contract rates as provided for in this chapter or any per trip fee established by the Port of Seattle and set forth in any operating agreement or tariff, or any toll or charge established for roads, bridges, tunnel or ferries, 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 1. |
Drop charge: For passengers for first ((1/10)) 1/9 mile |
$2.50 |
2. |
Per mile: For each ((1/10 ))1/9 mile or fraction thereof after the first ((1/10 ))1/9 mile |
(($0.25)) $0.30 |
3. |
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 (($0.25)) $0.30 per ((30)) 36 seconds) |
4. |
Extra charge for passengers over two persons, excluding children under twelve years of age |
$0.50 |
E. ((Special rates and contract rates. 1.)) 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.
((2.)) 1. All special rates must be filed with the director on forms furnished by the director.
((3.)) 2. All meter rates, special rates or contract rates shall be filed once a year at the time of application by the affiliated representative of a service company or by the vehicle licensee in the case of an independent owner.
((4.)) 3. Licensees may change any special rate filed no more than once a year.
((5.)) 4. Rates for new contracts acquired or changed during the license year shall be filed within two weeks of filing the contract and ((prior to))before implementing the contracted rate. Contracts must be between taxicab service organizations or owners and legal business entities.
F. Every for-hire vehicle licensee shall, before commencing operating, file all rates and charges with the director. All rates and charges shall be conspicuously displayed inside the for-hire vehicle so as to be readily viewed by the passenger. The manner of posting ((will)) shall be prescribed by the director.
G. 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 vehicle.
H. 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.
I. It is unlawful under the Americans with Disabilities Act to charge a special service vehicle rate ((which)) that is different from the taxicab rates adopted in subsection D. of this section, except in those instances where the transportation of disabled persons is pursuant to a written contract as specified in subsection G. of this section.
J. The director shall specify by rule how tolls or charges established for roads, bridges, tunnels or ferries shall be charged to taxicab or for-hire vehicle passengers and shall prescribe required signage for the vehicles for such purposes.
SECTION 4. The county council finds as a fact and declares that an emergency
exists and that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health or safety or for the support of county government and its existing public institutions.
ad requiremements
10 days prior
Seattle Times
Publish: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 4, 2012