White Plains Council Passes Overhaul of City’s Taxi Ordinance
In an effort to improve customer experiences and to strengthen the value of the White Plains taxicab medallion, the White Plains Common Council approved an overhaul of the city’s Taxi Ordinance at its April 4 meeting last week. The changes, which had been sought by Mayor Tom Roach because of consumer complaints, were focused on passenger service.
“This legislation comprehensively updates the City’s Taxicab Ordinance to better meet the needs of our growing city,” said Mayor Roach. “We focused on the customer experience and have included a broad range of changes that I believe will make for a better overall experience for passengers.”
The ordinance authorizes five additional White Plains taxicab medallions to be assigned to accessible vehicles only. White Plains will be the first Westchester municipality to incentivize the inclusion of accessible vehicles as part of its taxicab fleet.
Hailing, within a defined ‘Hail Zone’, is now allowed in the downtown area.
The existing Zone Map that currently governs fares has been replaced with a requirement that all White Plains taxicabs utilize taximeters. The Hail Zone Map is largely regarded as confusing and has been a frequent source of customer complaints. All White Plains licensed taxicabs are required to install a taximeter within three months from the enactment of the ordinance and requires that all White Plains licensed taxicabs be painted a uniform color (white) and attach a White Plains taxicab medallion sticker (to be provided by the WPPD) to the vehicle so that the riding public as well as the Police Department can easily identify licensed White Plains taxicabs. The color requirement will take effect at the next annual medallion renewal. Medallions are generally renewed in November and December of each year.
The new rate structure provides a modest increase for all White Plains licensed taxicabs. The last rate increase was approved 14 years ago.
All White Plains licensed taxicab drivers are now required to submit to annual drug testing, and owners and drivers of taxicabs are required to maintain vehicles in a clean and safe condition. Cars will be taken out of service when they reach 400,000 miles. This will ensure that the fleet is comprised of newer, more fuel efficient and lower-emission vehicles. The maximum vehicle mileage requirement will take effect six months from the enactment of the ordinance.
These changes come on the heels of the installation of two Taxi Starters (Special Patrol Officers) at the White Plains Metro-North station. The starters, who began work at the station in September of last year, work Monday through Friday during the morning and evening rush hours (7 to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 8 p.m.). They are there to assist commuters utilizing the station and to ensure the orderly and efficient operation of taxicabs.
