i went to the city of chicago web site and only saw the taxi advisory notice which said nothing at all about the 60 days. it just said that gas is over 3.20 so there is a surcharge. how do you find the link to the ordinance stuff?

Here it is. Bottom of page five.

http://www.chicityclerk.com/legislation/passedlegislation/040908/SO2008-1380.pdf

"... not to exceed 60 days, as the council may impose by such general ordinance."

The next sentence says:

Provided, however, that no hearings or general ordinance authorizing a surcharge on the rates of fare shall be required if a fuel surcharge on such rates of fare is permitted under subsection (e) of this section.

Sections (e)(1) and (e)(2) are the gas price triggers.

Further down, in section (e)(4) it says:

"If the city council by general ordinance revises the rates of fare set forth in Section 9-112-510(1), the provisions of items (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not apply for a period of twelve months, as measured from the effective date of such general ordinance."


And, of course, 9-112-510 "Taxicab rates of fare – Revision" says"

(a) Commencing with the effective date of this ordinance, the rates of fare for taxicabs shall be as set forth in this section, which rates are hereby declared to be JUST AND REASONABLE....

(c) The council may from time to time revise the rates of fare by general ordinance in conformity with the provision hereinafter set forth, which rates shall be just and reasonable. The council, through its committee on local transportation, may, and upon the application of not less than one-third of the licensees or ten percent of chauffeurs currently licensed under Chapter 9-104 of the Municipal Code, shall within 60 days after such application, hold hearings (but not more often than once in each period of 12 consecutive months) to determine whether a revision of the rates of fare is necessary. At such hearings each petitioning licensee or chauffeur may be required to submit a sworn statement of the gross income derived from the operation of taxicabs by him or under his control and all such expenses exclusive of Federal Income Taxes incurred during the immediately preceding period of 12 full calendar months. At such hearings the committee shall:

I. consider the sworn statements of gross income and expenses submitted by the licensees or chauffeurs;

II. consider the testimony and other evidence from any licensee or chauffeur who may wish to testify in support of the requested increase;

III. consider the effect of an increase in fares upon the public and take testimony from any interested individual or organization;

IV. consider the fares and practices with respect to similar services in other cities of the United States;

V. consider all other evidence or testimony which the committee deems to be relevant and material to a proper determination.

Upon completion of such hearings, said committee shall report to the council its findings and recommendations concerning a just and reasonable rate of fare. If after receiving said findings and recommendations from the committee the council determines that a rate increase is proper, it shall increase the rates in an amount to insure adequate and efficient service to the public.

Any revision of rates of fares may be made by a change in the charge for the length of the first designated portion to the trip, or by a change in the charge for the balance of the trip, for waiting time or for each additional passenger or by any combination of such changes. In making any such revision, the council may presume the average length of a trip to be as established by the licensee’s most current available records.

(d) In addition to the revision of rates of fare as provided in Section 9-112-510(c) hereof, the council may from time* impose a surcharge on the rates of fare described in Section 9-112-500(a) hereof, in conformity with the provisions hereinafter set forth.

The council, through its committee on local transportation, shall hold hearings to determine whether such a surcharge may be necessary due to temporary economic conditions affecting all licenses in general. A surcharge authorized by this section shall be of such duration, not to exceed 60 days, as the council may impose by general ordinance.

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(Prior code § 28-30; Amend Coun. J. 2-3-87, p. 39193; Amend Coun. J. 4-1-87, p. 41263; Amend Coun. J. 1-27-88, p. 10273; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-90, p. 11774; Amend Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 12-1-93, p. 43380; Amend Coun. J. 1-14-97, p. 37750, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-00, p. 46957, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-6-05, p. 46027, § 1)"
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SOURCES:

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Illinois/chicago_il/municipalcodeofchicago?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:chicago_il

http://www.chicityclerk.com/legislation/passedlegislation/040908/SO2008-1380.pdf

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I am getting all twisted up. And I don't think i am the only one.

Just who decides what are "JUST AND REASONABLE" rates?

The more I read the various sections of the city law, the more it smells a com game.

This is the part that bugs almost all drivers:

At such hearings each petitioning licensee or chauffeur may be required to submit a sworn statement of the gross income derived from the operation of taxicabs by him or under his control and all such expenses exclusive of Federal Income Taxes incurred during the immediately preceding period of 12 full calendar months. At such hearings the committee shall... consider the sworn statements of gross income and expenses submitted by the licensees or chauffeurs..."

This actually a disincentive to petition for a meter increase because, it is rumored, that many drivers don't even file tax returns.

Those who do file see it as an intrusion into their privacy as it relates to the IRS and suggest that there other objective factors that can be used to determine if a meter increase is appropriate from public records and reports available form other government agencies and industry reports from this industries that effect the cost of doing taxi business.

What a mess!

I agree with you Wolf. With so much regulating the city does of this industry, they should take it upon themselves to analyze and report how much cabdrivers make vs. how many hours they work. Then they should compare it to wages and benefits of city employees in comparable fields such as bus drivers (comparable because of the nature of the work - driving) or even police officers (comparable because of the danger/risk factor).

I believe this is a responsibility the city should undertake but has neglected because we are not considered their employees but independent business people. I see that as a cop out because, by design, they consider us independent business people on one hand but then expect us to collectively prove our income on the other.

George Lutfallah

Who are the other three greatest? Me, myself and I?

nyuk nyuk nyuk

The three greatest taxi drivers know who they are.

george does the surcharge expire in 60 days?

No. The surcharge is not for a specified number of days - it is based on fuel prices.

If gas stays above $3.20, the $1.00 surcharge will remain in effect until there is a fare increase.

If it drops below $3.20 for seven consecutive days but not below $2.70 for those days, the surcharge will be $.50. If it falls below $2.70 for seven consecutive days, the surcharge is off. For any of these cases, there will be a taxi advisory notice issued by DCS.

Don't forget about our hotline you can call to know if the surcharge is on or off and for how much. The number is (312) 437-8294.

George Lutfallah

Refer to my rather long posting above.