From the Chicago Dispatcher, May 2008
Commissioner’s Corner
By: Norma Reyes
The Department of Consumer Services (DCS) has taken two steps to increase driver revenues: an increase in the flat rates for shared rides and a fuel surcharge to be added to taxi fares. Together these two items will allow drivers to recoup increased fuel costs now while we work together to address rising costs across the industry.
Taxicab Fuel Surcharge – Effective April 28th
On April 9, the City Council approved amendments to Chapters 9-104 and 9-112 of the Municipal Code introduced by DCS. Central to the approved ordinance amendments is a fuel surcharge provision that provides drivers with much needed relief against fluctuating gas prices. Beginning April 28th, a $1.00 fuel surcharge will be in effect as long as gasoline prices remain above $3.20 per gallon.
DCS will be monitoring the price of a gallon of regular gasoline through the AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report (available on line at www.fuelgaugereport.com). When gas prices exceed $3.20/gallon for seven consecutive business days, DCS will issue a Taxi Industry Notice authorizing drivers to charge a fuel surcharge of $1.00, added to taxicab fares using the EXTRA button on the taxicab meter.
A sign provided by DCS must be posted in the passenger compartment, directly to the right of the rate sheet. No driver may charge the fuel surcharge without displaying the required sign. DCS has signs available for pick-up by medallion owners the week beginning April 24, 2008.
Should gas prices fall below $3.20 for seven consecutive business days, DCS will issue a Taxi Industry Notice alerting drivers that they can no longer charge a $1.00 fuel surcharge.
Any driver who charges an unauthorized surcharge or charges a surcharge without displaying the proper sign is subject to fines of at least $100.
DCS is also making an exerted effort to educate the public. Flyers have been created to alert passengers to the possibility of a fuel surcharge. We are working with the airports, McCormick Place, and local hotels to provide these flyers to passengers. Overall, Chicagoans and visitors are aware of the increase in gas costs and understand the reasoning and necessity of a fuel surcharge. But we will be closely monitoring the implementation and enforcement of the amended ordinance to help ensure it is understood and properly utilized.
Updates to Public Chauffeur Rules and Regulations – Effective May 1st
The Department of Consumer Services has a goal of making Chicago’s taxi industry the safest and most professional in the nation. Since Chicago is uniquely situated with many business, conventioneer and tourist travelers, it is important that the service a passenger receives in one cab is consistent and of equally high quality as the service received in any other cab.
In order to better ensure consistent and top quality service, DCS has updated the Public Chauffeur Rules and Regulations. This is the first overhaul of the Rules since 2002. The new Rules go into effect May 1, 2008. Some changes will come as a relief to many drivers.
First, per Rule 3.10(c), any chauffeur without a traffic violation on his motor vehicle record for five years before his renewal date is exempt from having to take a continuing education course.
Secondly, per Rules 1.07(b) and 3.06 (a), a new or renewing driver with one offense on his driving record in the past 12 months is required to take a four-hour safe-driving class. In the past, the requirement was an eight-hour class. The completion of a four-hour course as required by the court will satisfy this requirement.
Finally, the updated Rules also include a new exemption to the required training course. This exemption can be found under Rule 1.04 for taxicab drivers and Rule 2.03 for restricted (or livery) drivers. To summarize, if an applicant meets specific criteria outlined in the rule, as well as fulfilling all additional requirements for licensure, they can hit the road as a chauffeur much more quickly by avoiding the two-week taxi driver training or the one-day livery driver training.
Shared ride fares have been increased in the Rules, as outlined in the table below:
From To Old Shared Ride Fare New Shared Ride Fare
O’Hare Midway $25 $35
Midway O’Hare $25 $35
O’Hare Downtown $19 $22
Midway Downtown $14 $16
McCormick Pl. Downtown $5 $7
United Center Downtown $5 $7
Similarly, the flat fee to and from Gary Chicago International Airport has been increased from $60 to $70. Please be aware that Skokie and Burbank have been added to the list of suburbs that are charged a straight meter rate from O’Hare or Midway Airports.
Many changes to the Rules were made to discourage unsafe and reckless driving. Based on the increase in the number of complaints received by DCS last year – up 58% from 2006 – these changes address specific driver behavior. To further discourage unsafe and reckless driving, there is also an increase in fines and penalties for drivers who break the law.
I’d like to highlight a few of the changes. Per Rule 3.05, the Commissioner has the discretion to deny an applicant’s renewal if the applicant has three or more complaints or citations for abusive behavior and /or unsafe driving on his record for the last 12 months. Per Rule 5.08 (e), the use of a cellular telephone or other electronic device, whether or not hands-free, is strictly prohibited while operating a taxicab. And, finally, per Rule 5.14, the Commissioner has the power to suspend a chauffeur’s license if he has been charged with a forcible felony while providing public passenger vehicle services. I’d like to stress that these changes are clearly to keep the worst of the worst offenders off the road. These are the very few drivers that give a bad name to the many law-abiding and safe drivers.
The Department of Consumer Services is committed to improving the conditions of professional drivers, while also ensuring that every passenger in a public vehicle is given a safe and consistent trip. We must work together to achieve the goal of making Chicago’s taxi industry the safest and most professional in the nation.
