New Law Aims at Putting Limos on Leash
Provisions Took Effect Jan. 1;
New City, State Rules Pending
Most cities require that dogs be kept on a leash when on the street. They cause less trouble that way.
Unfortunately, California hasn’t allowed cities to pass leash laws for limousines. And the state, which has an open-entry policy for limo operators, does next to nothing about keeping the vehicles it licenses and regulates under control.
The predictable result is familiar to every cab driver: a glut of limos on the streets, many driven by bandits who blatantly violate the requirement that they transport passengers only by prearrangement.
When limos grab off passengers who should be in cabs, at prices that are often much higher than...
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More Cabs Allowed Fourth Year
Taxis that formerly had to be retired after three years of service will be allowed a fourth year of operation under certain conditions, according to a Taxi Commission rules change approved Nov. 9.
Before the rule was changed, a fourth year was allowed only for taxis purchased as a new vehicles, cabs operated seven shifts a week or less, alternative fuel vehicles and spare cabs.
Under the new rule, all other cabs can qualify, provided the drivers of the taxi are covered by a workers compensation policy and the cab has fewer than 350,000 miles on the odometer. The commission also requires proof of workers comp for color scheme changes.

Sexual Harassment Discussed
At TC’s Annual Safety Hearing
Sexual harassment was the main topic of discussion at the Taxi Commission’s annual safety hearing, conducted Dec. 20 by Acting Executive Director Kelly Castagnaro. Commissioners Paul Gillespie, Mary McGuire and Martin Smith, all cab drivers, were also in attendance.
Emily Murase, Executive Director of the Commission on the Status of Women, and Bernice Casey of the Department on the Status of Women made the presentation. Among the materials...
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TC Recommends Exemption
From Driving Requirement
For Cab Company Employees
The Taxi Commission has approved a resolution recommending to the Board of Supervisors an extremely broad — but less than full — exemption from the Proposition K driving requirement for permit holders employed by cab companies in non-driving positions.
A court decision in a case brought by the permit holders’ association (PDA) authorized the city to “make some limited allowance, consistent with the strong policy of Proposition K favoring full-time operation of taxicabs by permit holders, for a permit holder’s leadership position in a taxicab cooperative” — a so-called “manager’s exemption.” But the commission’s resolution would allow the exemption to extend beyond managers to just about any cab company employee.
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Small Gain in Pick-ups At Airport Last Year
Taxi pick-ups at SFO showed a modest increase of 8 percent in 2004 over 2003. But the total number of pick-ups is still more than 600,000 below the year 2000, a drop of 36.7 percent. And it is also lower than the totals for 2001 and 2002.
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Commission Honors Drivers of Year
The Taxi Commission is honoring 14 cab drivers with appreciation awards for their outstanding service to the public. The drivers were to receive the awards at the commission’s Jan. 25 meeting, after the press deadline for this publication. The award recipients are:
Ann Bailey and Joe Ng, DeSoto Cab; Tokunbo Solarin, Big Dog Cab; Marcelo Silva and Richard Sprang, Luxor Cab; Rex Caponi, Town Taxi; Albon Wagener, Saulo Wanderly and Richard Ayon, National Cab; Elmo Da Silva, Regents Cab; Paul Lobel and Essa Shartara, Veterans Cab; Reynaldo Magno and Yuan Li, Yellow Cab.

Problems at SFO? Taxi drivers who observe problems or have disputes with dispatchers inside the garage or at the terminal stands should contact the on-duty shift manager at (650) 821-2700 or 821-2704. Problems or complaints can also be addressed to Landside Operations at (650) 821-6528.

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