Section 1017.5. Basic vehicle standards

(a) State vehicle standards. In addition to standards required under the act, this part and orders of the Authority, a taxicab must continually satisfy the applicable Department of Transportation equipment inspection standards in 67 Pa. Code Chapter 175 (relating to vehicle equipment and inspection) when providing taxicab service.

(b) Standard taxicab vehicle requirements. Each taxicab is subject to the following requirements:

(1) A taxicab must have four functioning doors which comply with the standards provided in 67 Pa. Code Chapter 175, which must have the following properly aligned, installed and maintained components:

(i) Hinges.

(ii) Door gaskets and doorway padding.

(iii) Latches.

(iv) Doors that open without resistance and close securely.

(v) Functioning door locks operable by the passenger.

(2) A medallion taxicab shall utilize the services of a dispatcher approved by the Authority under Chapter 1019 (relating to dispatchers) and dispatch-related equipment must function properly.

(3) Unless otherwise permitted by the Authority, a medallion taxicab must be equipped with an operable two-way radio connected to a dispatch system approved by the Authority. Unless otherwise permitted by the Authority, a partial-rights taxicab that is not affiliated with a dispatcher must be equipped with an operable two-way radio capable of communication with the certificate holder or an agent of the certificate holder.

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), the taxicab must have a functioning dome light firmly affixed to its roof. The dome light must be lit when the vehicle is available for service. The dome light must comply with the approved design submitted by the taxicab’s certified dispatcher under § 1019.7 (relating to name, colors and markings review).

(5) A rooftop-advertising panel with ends that illuminate to indicate when the taxicab is available for service may be used in lieu of the dome light.

(6) A taxicab must display taxicab rates approved by the Authority as provided in section 5703 or 5720 of the act, or both (relating to rates; and wages).

(7) A taxicab must be equipped with handgrips in the passenger compartment for use while entering or exiting the vehicle.

(8) A taxicab must be equipped with working seatbelts for every passenger and the driver.

(9) A taxicab must have four full sized tires which continuously meet or exceed the applicable standards of 67 Pa. Code § 175.80 (relating to inspection procedure) and otherwise comply with the Authority’s tire requirements, which include the following:

(i) Snow tires or all-weather tires on the drive wheels between October 1 and April 1.

(ii) A full sized and usable spare tire that complies with the standards of this section is properly stored in the taxicab.

(iii) Properly affixed and matching hubcaps or wheel covers for all four tires.

(10) A taxicab may not use retread tires.

(11) The taxicab must have a trunk or storage area large enough to accommodate a folded manual wheelchair.

(12) A taxicab must be equipped with a protective shield which separates the front seat from the back seat and bears the manufacturer’s name. The protective shield must meet the following minimum requirements:

(i) The upper portion of the shield must extend from the top of the front seat to a point not more than 3 inches from the ceiling of the vehicle and must be constructed of a clear, see-through, bullet-resistant material.

(ii) The shield must have either a sliding window controlled by the vehicle operator and capable of being locked by the driver or a payment exchange cup or tray or similar device which allows the operator to receive payment from passengers in the back seat of the vehicle without unduly exposing the vehicle operator to danger.

(iii) The upper portion of the shield may not obstruct the vehicle operator’s view of the road to the rear of the vehicle.

(iv) The lower portion of the shield must extend the full length of the front seat and be constructed of a bullet-resistant material.

(v) Both the upper and lower portions of the shield must extend from a point flush with the left-hand side of the vehicle across the vehicle to a point flush with the right-hand side of the vehicle.

(vi) The shield may not have an edge or projection protruding into the area where a passenger or driver will sit or move.

(vii) The lower portion of the shield must be installed in a manner which complies with the legroom requirements in paragraph (2).

(viii) The shield must be installed in a manner which does not prevent voice communication between the vehicle operator and passengers in the vehicle.

(ix) The shield must be installed in a manner which allows heat and air conditioning to maintain the taxicab’s temperature at levels required under paragraph (19).

(x) The shield must be sufficiently transparent to allow a passenger to easily read the meter and the taxicab driver’s certificate.

(13) A taxicab must be equipped with a meter approved for use as provided in § 1017.23 (relating to approved meters) and may not be equipped with a device that has the capability of allowing the meter to register a nonapproved rate.

(14) A taxicab may not be equipped with a push bumper.

(15) The interior, exterior and trunk compartment of a taxicab must be clean so as to present a positive appearance and to prevent possible transfer of dirt, dust, grease, paint or other markings to a passenger’s clothing or luggage.

(16) Spare tires in the trunk must be covered.

(17) A taxicab’s passenger seats may not be torn or have protruding springs or other material capable of tearing a passenger’s skin or clothing. Passenger seat tears must be properly repaired and may not be mended with tape.

(18) A taxicab’s interior must consist of matching features, including door panels.

(19) Except upon a passenger’s request to the contrary, the passenger area of a taxicab must remain a constant temperature between 60° and 78° Fahrenheit. While in a taxi-stand line, a taxicab is exempt from this temperature requirement until it reaches the position of first, second or third vehicle from the front of the line.

(20) A taxicab must be free of objectionable odors. For example, a taxicab may not smell like urine, feces, animals, insects, decomposing organisms, poor human hygiene or garbage.

(21) A taxicab’s passenger compartment must contain at least two seats with space that measures 28 inches or more from the back of the passenger’s seats to any barrier in front of it.

(22) A taxicab must contain a legible commercially produced map of the City of Philadelphia for use by the taxicab driver.

(23) A taxicab’s exterior paint must be in good repair and consistent with the colors and markings of the taxicab’s dispatcher and the exterior of the vehicle shall be free of damage.

(24) In addition to other postings required by this subpart, a taxicab must have posted in the passenger compartment in a place easily observed by passengers, the following information:

(i) A prohibition against smoking, eating and drinking while in the taxicab.

(ii) The availability of noncash payment options.

(iii) The list of Passengers’ Rights and Driver’s Rights issued by the Authority.

(iv) Information on how to submit a taxicab service related complaint to the Authority in both written English and Braille.

(v) The taxicab’s dispatcher and the number assigned to the taxicab under § 1017.14 (relating to taxicab numbering).

(25) The Authority may require the installation of a separate heating and air conditioning system in a taxicab if necessary to comply with paragraph (19).

(26) A taxicab must be equipped with a safety camera system approved for use as provided in § 1017.71 (relating to taxicab safety cameras).

(c) Interstate travel. No requirement of this subpart or any Authority regulation may be interpreted to disrupt or interfere with interstate commerce exclusively regulated by or preempted by the government of the United States.

(d) Smoking prohibited. Persons may not smoke in a taxicab.

(e) Advertising prohibited.

(1) Unless otherwise permitted by the Authority and as provided in subsection (b)(5), the display of advertisements on the exterior or interior of a taxicab is prohibited, except for the colors and markings and postings required by the act, this part or an order of the Authority.

(2) Advertisements, colors, markings and other displays required by this part must be securely fastened to the taxicab and may not obscure the driver’s view in any direction.

(f) Inspection by certificate holder. A certificate holder shall inspect each of its taxicabs on a daily basis to confirm that the taxicab complies with this subpart. A certificate holder may select a person to conduct the inspections required under this subsection on the certificate holder’s behalf.

The provisions of this § 1017.5 amended October 24, 2014, effective October 25, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6769. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (360419) to (360420) and (369853) to (369854).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 1021.11 (relating to driver requirements).