Proliferation of cabs brings proposed new taxi law

Leaders say countywide cab ordinance needed
A proposed Sonoma County taxicab regulatory ordinance will be the focus of a public discussion next Tuesday, Jan. 22, starting at 3 p.m.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office will host the meeting on a proposed ordinance that’s needed because more taxicabs are operating in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, particularly serving Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport customers, said 4th District County Supervisor Mike McGuire.
In the last couple of years complaints from taxicab operators and customers “have persuaded the sheriff’s office to move forward with an ordinance,” said McGuire.
“This is a common sense approach” to resolve issues that have been brought up by both taxicab operators and their customers, said McGuire.
If adopted, the new law would also plug a gap because Sonoma County doesn’t have a cab ordinance, although all the cities in Sonoma County do, said McGuire.
Until a few years ago not many taxis were operating in the county’s unincorporated areas, said McGuire.
“There has been a very limited number of taxicabs in the unincorporated area,” said McGuire. “Only after the last couple of years we have seen increased commercial air service at the airport.”
The increase in the number of commercial air passengers has seen the market expand for taxicab services.
“The issues that have arisen are related to both taxicab operators and customers,” said McGuire.
The new ordinance would require a county license for all taxicab drivers who aren’t already licensed by a city ordinance. It would regulate fare meters, require background checks for cab drivers and regular equipment checks for vehicles.
“When a customer gets into a taxicab he or she should know exactly what they are going to pay,” said McGuire.
The ordinance would also require regular vehicle inspections and proof of insurance and would set up a formal citizen complaint process if issues come up.
There are an estimated 110 taxicabs and 34 taxicab companies operating in Sonoma County, mostly in Santa Rosa, said McGuire.
“This ordinance is a common sense approach to potential issues that may rise up via passengers or taxicab operators,” said McGuire. “It gives passengers and operators peace of mind knowing what a trip will cost, that the vehicle has been inspected and the driver has gone through testing” for alcohol or drug violations.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office will host next week’s meeting at the Sheriff’s Office Training Room, 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa.
The proposed ordinance can be found at http://www.sonomasheriff.org/pdf/taxicab-ord-draft-11-15-12. Copies are also available at the Sheriff’s Office front desk.
For questions about the ordinance or the upcoming discussion, contact Lieutenant Tim Duke at 565-2650.