Taxicab Regulation : Transportation : Arlington, Virginia

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Environmental Services

Taxicab Regulation

The operation of taxicab service within Arlington is governed by the Arlington County Taxicab Ordinance. All taxicabs and taxicab drivers must be licensed by Arlington County. The County’s Hack Inspector, an officer in the Arlington Police Department, is responsible for addressing the licensing of drivers and inspection of taxicabs as well as addressing concerns about all taxicab violations. The County’s Taxicab Industry Regulator, a member of the Transportation Planning Bureau found under the Department of Environmental Services, is responsible for monitoring and regulating Arlington’s taxicab companies.

The Arlington County Taxicab Ordinance (127KB PDF) (Chapter 25.1 of the Arlington County Code) regulates and controls taxicab service in Arlington County, the operation of taxicabs for hire, rates and charges for service, and the character and qualifications of operators through the issue of certificates of public convenience and necessity, in order to preserve the health, safety, welfare and property of Arlington County citizens and the public at large, as well as assuring robust competition among providers that results in quality Taxicab Service throughout Arlington.

NEWS

June 13, 2009 Press Release

Arlington Updates Taxicab Regulation with New Ordinance
Action to improve customer service; reduce carbon footprint

ARLINGTON, Va. – The County Board today enacted an Arlington County Taxicab Ordinance (Chapter 25.1 of the Code of Arlington County). In an effort to improve customer service and reduce the fleets’ carbon footprint, the new ordinance revamps the processes for rate review and taxicab certification, and sets fuel-efficiency standards. Revisions to the previous ordinance include regular, biennial processes to consider fare rates and to authorize certificates for new taxicabs.

“Taxis are an important part of Arlington’s transportation assets,” commented Barbara A. Favola, Arlington County Board Chairman. “The new ordinance is a win-win for the taxi industry, customers, and the environment.”

Revisions to the Ordinance

In consultation with the Transportation Commission, the local taxicab industry and other stakeholders, County staff rewrote the existing ordinance to meet the changing needs of the community. Several updates to the ordinance also address recent industry and environmental concerns. Key revisions include:

Streamlined, data-driven approach to authorizing new taxicabs and for periodic consideration of rates of fare;
Consideration of certificates every two years instead of every year;
More time for submitting certificate applications;
Regular interval for considering fare rates - every two years;
New fuel-efficiency standards; and
New smoking restrictions.

Community Process

As part of the comprehensive update to the ordinance, the County hired Nelson-Nygaard in the spring of 2007 to conduct the Arlington County Taxi Study and examine the existing, local taxicab industry and regulation. The study, which was completed in April 2008, compared Arlington’s taxicab regulation with those of peer jurisdictions, and developed strategies to address the issues and opportunities. Final recommendations included defining and monitoring standards for customer service, revising the license-allocation process to reward customer-service, and reducing the fleets’ environmental impact.

County staff also conducted the Arlington County Taxicab User Survey in the fall of 2008 to gather public feedback. In addition to the survey, staff and the Transportation Commission held four public workshops during the late 2008 and early 2009.

To read the Board report on this item, click here, click on June 13 agenda -- and look for item # 46.

FAQ

Who do I contact with questions regarding the Arlington County Taxicab Ordinance?

Questions regarding implementation of the Arlington Taxicab Ordinance should be directed to Kelly Cornell at 703-228-0088.

Questions regarding enforcement of the Arlington County Taxicab Ordinance should be directed to the County Hack Inspector at 703-228-4255.

What are the set taxicab rates of fare for Arlington County?

The rate schedule for fares and service charges is as follows:

For the first one-fifth (1/5) mile (initial drop charge): two dollars and seventy-five cents ($2.75)
For each succeeding one-fifth (1/5) mile or fraction thereof (mileage charge): forty cents ($0.40)
For each sixty-four (64) seconds of wait time: forty cents ($0.40)
For each additional Passenger over six (6) years of age when more than one (1) Passenger is transported: one dollar ($1.00)
For each suitcase (in excess of two (2)), if handled by the Driver: fifty cents ($0.50)
For each footlocker or similar-size case handled by the Driver: two dollars ($2.00)
Tolls paid by the Driver between the point of Passenger pickup and the Passenger destination will be added to the Passenger's fare, provided that the Passenger is first informed by the Driver of the existence of a toll, and further provided that the Driver first gives the Passenger the option of the Taxicab taking an alternative route, which route would not require the payment of a toll.
Provided that the Passenger is first informed by the Driver if the existence of an airport surcharge, where the Driver pays such surcharge, the surcharge will be added to the total fare.

What taxicab companies currently operate within Arlington County?