Request for Information and Comment Concerning Act 119 of 2012 [42 Pa.B. 5458]
[Saturday, August 18, 2012]The act of July 5, 2012 (P. L. 1022, No. 119) (Act 119) which can be viewed at www.philapark.org/taxis- limousines/ was signed into law by Governor Corbett. Among the several provisions enumerated, Act 119 provides for immediate issuance for sale of 15 new medallions to be placed only on wheelchair accessible taxicabs with 15 additional medallions to be sold annually for the next 10 years for a total of 150 medallions slated for wheelchair accessible taxicabs in Philadelphia. Act 119 also provides for establishment of a wheelchair accessible taxicab driver training and certification program with substantial incentives for qualified drivers to participate.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (Authority) is now tasked with establishing the regulatory framework for launching and maintaining a safe, reliable and robust system for supply of wheelchair accessible taxicab service to those individuals who need it, when and where they need it. While the Authority feels confident it will be able to do this in a timely manner, the Authority cannot do it alone and is seeking assistance through input from multiple entities whose areas of expertise or personal experience focus on at least some aspect of provision of this form of transportation.
Accordingly, the Taxicab and Limousine Division of the Authority seeks information and comment from the public at large, including the community of people with disabilities as well as from taxicab and limousine industry members concerning not only the issues specifically described as follows but any others that those commenting believe need to be considered.
The Authority welcomes comment from all concerning initial sale and/or distribution of the wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) medallions whether that be by public auction or by competitive bid through submitted proposals for all 15 medallions annually or some increment thereof over time.
The Authority is also interested in hearing thoughts concerning the optimal method for dispatch of WAV taxicabs given the current industry makeup which includes 14 certified dispatchers for the current total of 1,600 medallion taxicabs.
The Authority is keenly interested in hearing from vendors of WAVs suitable for taxicab service, WAV retrofit services and distributors of related equipment. The Authority wants to hear from those entities providing training programs for WAV drivers and regulatory/inspections staff. The Authority seeks input from vendors of software and payment programs for channeling governmental funds provided to people with disabilities for transportation in taxicabs.
Finally, the Authority is very interested in hearing from taxicab and limousine regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions where wheelchair accessible taxicab programs have already been implemented.
The Authority will post comments and information submittals on the Authority's web site at www.philapark.org on the Taxicab and Limousine page as they are received.
Forward written comments and information by the close of business on September 7, 2012, to the attention of Michele Ruffin, Executive Assistant, mruffin@ philapark.org or Philadelphia Parking Authority, Taxicab and Limousine Division, 2415 South Swanson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148-4113.
VINCENT J. FENERTY, Jr.,
Executive Director[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-1631. Filed for public inspection August 17, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]
