HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8562 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8562
dtovit t� Date: January 13, 2004
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
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leors SUBJECT: TAXICAB AGE LIMIT
At the City Council meeting on January 6, 2004, several presentations were made regarding the age limit
for taxicabs stipulated in the City's comprehensive ground transportation ordinance, Ordinance #15655.
Staff was requested to provide information to the City Council relative to this matter.
The Ordinance limits the age of taxicabs to five years. Staff research at this time indicates this
requirement has been in place since at least 1995 when Ordinance #11874 was adopted by the City
Council (M&C GI 1010). Several revisions of the taxicab ordinance have been approved by the City
Council since that time. The age limit has remained constant.
In February 2003, the City of Dallas and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport granted a one-year
extension for taxicabs already in service. This extension applied regardless of the age of the taxicab.
Therefore, any vehicle already in service at the time of the extension can now be up to six years old and
remain in service.
Three companies are currently authorized to operate in the city of Fort Worth. At this time, there are
thirty (30) taxicabs that are 1999 models (Yellow Cab - 22; Executive Taxi - 3;Cowboy Cab - 5).
Information provided to staff indicates that the majority of the vehicles subject to the five-year age limit
are operated by independent owners operating under the sponsorship of the taxicab companies.
The mileage for most of these vehicles, as of the last inspection six months ago, ranged from 160,000 to
315,000. Taxicabs can in any given year accumulate from 60,000 to 100,000 miles per year. The next
vehicle inspections are scheduled this month for each of the companies.
A letter dated December 22, 2003 was sent to Mr. Ernest Cary, one of the speakers at 'last Tuesday's City
Council meeting, responding to his request for consideration of a one-year extension. Staffs position in
response to Mr. Cary's request was to support the retention of the five-year age limit requirement for
taxicabs operating in Fort Worth as required in the current ordinance. This staff position is based
primarily on the air quality concerns associated with older, high mileage vehicles. This was outlined in
the response letter to Mr. Cary.
At the end of the citizen presentations on this matter on Tuesday, the City Council expressed a desire to
receive further information regarding this issue. If the City Council desires to review this issue further,
staff presents the following options:
1) retain the five year age limit on taxicabs. No further action required.
2) modify the requirement to grant a one year extension. However, staff recommends that if an
extension is granted, that it be a one-time extension that applies to 1999 models only. Staff
will bring forth the appropriate M&C and ordinance for Council action on January 20, 2004.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8562
Date: January 13, 2004
Doe*V11ba To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
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107's SUBJECT: TAXICAB AGE LIMIT
3) suspend the five year age limit for 30 days to allow additional review of this issue. Staff will
return at that time with a recommendation to the City Council. Staff will bring forth the
appropriate M&C for Council action on January 20, 2004.
Please do not hesitate to contact Elsa Paniagua, Municipal Court Director, if you have any questions or
desire additional information.
a Jac
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT woRTH, TEXAS