Taxi Code Modernization
Client:
Department of Buisness Affairs and Consumer Protection
Practice Area:
Project Year:
2011
Project Description:
To provide passengers with a cleaner, safer, and more wheelchair-accessible taxi fleet, the City of Chicago revised the municipal taxi cab code for the first time in 15 years. The new ordinance will go into effect in July 2012.
Taxi drivers will be required to have behind-the-wheel training. Average vehicle age will be reduced by cutting the maximum allowable initial mileage of new taxis in half.
The code includes a tiered lease system to incentivize fuel-efficient and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, decreasing fuel costs for drivers and improving Chicago's air quality. Standardized lease rate agreements will protect drivers from overcharges by taxi cab companies, and rates will be reviewed regularly to ensure long-term financial stability for the taxi industry.
Drivers will be limited to no more than 12 consecutive hours of driving each day, in line with federal motor vehicle safety laws and industry standards. An overall effort was also made to significantly streamline the municipal code, which will result in an improvement in the effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency in code enforcement.
Environmental Impact Initiative, Inc. researched current driver and owner conditions to create an economic model for the taxi industry. Michael Baker Corporation helped to draft the revised code. "It was a privilege to work with the City and Civic Consulting staff to tackle the complex issues we worked to address," said David Champion, President and CEO at Environmental Impact Initiative.