Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to eliminate the moratorium for taxicabs in the City of Columbus, removing the limit on the number of taxicab licenses that can be issued by the Department of Public Safety. Section 585.08 of the Columbus City Codes mandates that the Vehicle-for-Hire Board make recommendations to City Council as to the number of taxicab, livery, and pedicab licenses that the City is permitted to issue. City Council then must vote on the recommendation provided.
There are 530 taxicab licenses that been approved by City Council, per Ordinance No. 0400-2013. Of those 530, only 437 are currently being used. With the presence of transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, as well as other alternative types of public transportation, there is currently a lack of demand for taxicab licenses. On February 2, 2018, the Vehicle for Hire Board met to discuss the unclaimed taxicab licenses and the proliferation of alternative transportation. The Board voted to eliminate the moratorium for taxicabs. On February 14, 2018, the Vehicle for Hire Board made the formal recommendation to Council for removing the limit on the number of taxicab licenses that can be issued by the City.
Title
To repeal Ordinance No. 0400-2013, which limits the number of taxicabs permitted to operate in the City; to remove the limit on the number of taxicabs permitted to operate in the City; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Section 585.08 of the Columbus City Codes requires that the Vehicle for Hire Board annually recommend to City Council the total number of taxicabs which may be licensed; and
WHEREAS, the Board has not recommended any change to the number of licensed taxicabs currently set forth in Ordinance No. 0400-2013 since it was passed on February 11, 2013; and
WHEREAS, currently, there are 530 taxicab licenses that have been approved by City Council, 437 of which are currently licensed; and
WHEREAS, the License Section rec...
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