The mayor’s office today released a Taxi Consultant Report which provides long and short-term recommendations to improve operations and regulations of the City’s taxi system.
The press released states that Mayor Tom Menino announced today he would adopt the recommendation to form a Taxi Advisory Committee and focus on compliances and regulations of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.
“In April, I committed to a sweeping review of our city’s taxi industry,” Mayor Menino said. “Our priority is the safety of our taxi drivers and the consumers that use their service. This report looks at where the City of Boston needs to be headed when it comes to the future of our Hackney Division and this rapidly changing industry.”
Nelson/Nygaard, the consulting team that prepared the taxi report, analyzed issues and potential changes to the taxi industry including the demand and availability of taxis in all neighborhoods, demand and availability of taxis during late evening hours, discriminatory practices, and oversight and enforcement of taxi regulations, among others.
In the coming days, Menino is expected to create an independent Taxi Advisory Committee to review the report’s recommendations. He is expected to make recommendations to the Boston Police Department and the next administration — either John Connolly or Marty Walsh — based on the the TAC’s findings.
The TAC will be comprised of several groups including, United Steelworkers; Massport; MBTA Accessibility Office; City of Boston Onein3; and the Boston Transportation Department, along with a host of others.
Mayor Menino has directed the Hackney Unit to immediately enforce the report’s recommendation that any Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle entering taxi service must pass initial and annual inspections to ensure compliancy.
Short-term recommendations include, taxi stand expansion; considering peak period fare surcharges; setting a cap on credit card processing fees; better monitoring complaints based on monthly reports; and putting a BPD Officer in charge of the Hackney Unit.
Image from samsill.com
