Taxi Regulatory Revision in Seattle, Washington: Background and Implementation

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15270591980PDFTech ReportGelb, Pat M.Donnelly, Robert M.Lidano, A. BocciaDe Leuw, Cather & CompanyJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited States. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationSeattle (Washington)AdministrationGovernmentsLevel of serviceParatransit servicesRegulationsTaxicabsTravel demandTaxicabsLaw and legislationFaresSeattle (Washington)LicensesDOT-TSC-UMTA-81-31;UMTA-MA-06-0049-80-17;PB82-218355In May 1979 the City of Seattle enacted license code revisions affecting taxicabs. Entry is opened to both fleets and independents and there is no limit on total licenses or the number of licenses a single operator may obtain. Open rate setting replaces the previous standard rate of fare by allowing taxi companies to file individually selected rates. This Final Report evaluates the effects of the regulatory revisions on local taxi service suppliers, taxi users and taxi regulators. Evaluation issues included changes in the level and quality of taxi service, changes in demand, taxi user characteristics and awareness of service, changes in taxi service productivity measures and the administrative efforts involved in implementation. Since the city's code changes affected taxi industry size and operations in King County and at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, special attention was also paid to interjurisdictional issues.138