D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 31, r. 31-804

Current through Register 71, No. 45, November 7, 2024

Rule 31-804 - SNOW EMERGENCY FARES

804.1

During a snow emergency fare period, as may be declared by the Mayor or the Chairperson of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (Chairperson), a flat fee of fifteen dollars ($15) per trip originating in the District of Columbia shall be added to the metered fare.

804.2

Snow emergency fare periods shall begin at such times as the Mayor or the Chairperson makes a public announcement that snow emergency fares are authorized. The Chairperson shall make that announcement when informed by the Department of Public Works that it is necessary to dispatch snow plows. The Chairperson or the Mayor may also make an announcement under the following conditions:

(a) It is snowing and there has been significant accumulation of snow on the streets;

(b) The Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Public Works have informed the Chairperson or the Mayor that hazardous driving conditions exist throughout the city; or

(c) Additional accumulation is predicted of such significant proportions that hazardous driving conditions are expected to persist for at least twelve (12) hours.

804.3

The public announcement shall be promulgated in accordance with established Commission procedures and communicated to the news media.

804.4

Snow emergency fare periods shall automatically expire twelve (12) hours after they are declared in effect unless the Mayor or the Chairperson determines during the first twelve (12) hour period that the snow emergency fare shall be effective for an additional fixed period.

804.5

If the original snow emergency fare period is extended, that decision shall be communicated in accordance with established Commission procedures.

804.6

REPEALED

804.7

Announcements concerning the snow emergency fare period shall be disseminated to all news media, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other appropriate organizations.

804.8

Each taxicab driver shall check regularly, during periods when the snow emergency fare may be in effect, with the news media, the Metropolitan Police Department, or the Office of Taxicabs, to determine whether the snow emergency fare is authorized.

804.9

Whenever the taxicab driver is to charge the snow emergency fare, upon the passenger entering the taxicab the driver shall inform the passenger that snow emergency fares are in effect and explain the fare.

804.10

During snow emergency periods, there shall be prominently displayed on the back of the front seat of the taxicab, and pointed out to the passenger by the driver, a sign in size and form prescribed by the Commission, which shall read as follows:

SNOW EMERGENCY FARE

DURING SNOW EMERGENCY FARE PERIODS, AS DECLARED BY THE MAYOR OR THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION, PASSENGERS SHALL ADD A FLAT FEE OF FIFTEEN DOLLARS ($15.00) PER TRIP ORIGINATING IN THE DISTRICT TO THE METERED FARE, NOT INCLUDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE EXTRA CHARGES OR SURCHARGES.

THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF SNOW EMERGENCY FARE PERIODS WILL BE PUBLICIZED ON OR IN RADIO, TELEVISION, OR NEWSPAPERS AND ON THE TAXICAB COMMISSION WEBSITE.

IF DISPUTES ARISE, THE PASSENGER(S) SHALL PAY THE FARE STATED BY THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVER MUST FURNISH A RECEIPT. THE PASSENGER(S) MAY FILE A COMPLAINT IN WRITING WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF PASSENGER RIGHTS POSTED IN THIS TAXICAB. THE COMPLAINT SHALL BE FILED WITH THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TAXICAB COMMISSION.

804.11

Each taxicab operator shall maintain an adequate supply of snow emergency receipt forms, in size and form prescribed by the Office, and shall furnish that receipt, fully filled out, to any passenger requesting it.

804.12

Whenever there is a dispute the driver shall indicate that fact on the manifest by putting the letter "D" (for "Disputed") after the amount of the fare.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 31, r. 31-804

Final Rulemaking published at 37 DCR 3595, 3613 (June 1, 1990); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 3831 (April 11, 2008); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 3154, 3156 (April 20, 2012)

Authority: The Chairperson of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (Commission), pursuant to the authority set forth in section 6(a) and (d) of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §50-305(a) and (d)) (2009 Repl.)); section 105 of the 2005 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2023; D.C. Official Code § 50-381(a) (2011 Supp.)); Mayor's Order 2007-231, dated October 17, 2007; Mayor's Order 2009-104, dated June 15, 2009; and Mayor's Order 2011-116, dated July 11, 2011.