Department:

City of Seattle

Department of Finance and Administrative Services Rule No:

FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-02-2019

Supersedes:

Clerk Files 314170 (R-6.310.530.A) and 314266 (CPU-01-2015)

Publication:

8/22/2019

Effective:

10/10/2019

Subject:

Taximeter Rates, Alternate Taxicab Rates, For-Hire Vehicle Rates and For-Hire Vehicle Zone Fares

Code and Section Reference(s):

SMC 6.310.530.A, .530.B and .530.C

SMC 6.310.140 (rulemaking authority)

Approved:

Division Director

Business Unit Officer

Calvin W. Goings, Department Director

Date

Date

Date

City of Seattle Taxicab, Transportation Network Company Vehicle and For-Hire Vehicle Rules

________________________________________

Rule FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-02-2019

Taximeter Rates, Alternate Taxicab Rates, For-Hire Vehicle Rates and For-Hire Vehicle Zone Fares

(SMC 6.310.530.A, .530.B and .530C)

The following rule provides guidance for non-application dispatch system rates offered by taxicabs, transportation network company (TNC) vehicles and for-hire vehicles as required by Seattle Municipal Code (SMC).

Taximeter Rates and Alternate Taxicab Rates

1. All taxicab fares must be computed by taximeters except when the trip is provided under an alternate rate (i.e., airport flat rate, contract rate or special rate) authorized by SMC 6.310.530.A or when the trip is on an application dispatch system approved by the Director of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) or his or her designee (the Department Director).

2. The taximeter must be tested and approved by the Department Director pursuant to SMC 6.310.320.K and 7.04 and to the Director's Rule on taximeters.

Taximeter Rate

Drop Charge

$2.60 for first 1/9-mile increment.

Distance Charge

$0.30 for each 1/9-mile increment after the first 1/9-mile increment [$2.70 per mile] at speeds above 11 miles per hour.

Time Charge

$0.30 per 36 seconds [$0.50 per minute] at speeds below 11 miles per hour.

Other Charges

(May be added to taximeter fare if applicable)

Per Passenger

$0.50 per person for more than two persons excluding children under twelve years of age.

Tolls

Toll or charge established for roads, bridges, tunnels or ferries while passengers are being transported. A toll or charge is not required to be displayed on the taximeter in order to be added to the passenger's total fare.

Temporary Fuel Surcharge Per trip fee authorized by the Department Director pursuant to SMC 6.310.530.F and the Director's Rule on temporary fuel surcharge.

3. Alternate taxicab rates authorized by SMC 6.310.530.A may be used to charge fares for taxicab trips and must be filed with the Department Director on forms provided for that purpose as follows:

Alternate Taxicab Rates

Definitions and Filing Requirements

Airport Flat Rate Flat rate filed with the Department Director for trips from downtown hotel district, as defined at SMC 6.310.530.A.3.g, to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

File at annual taxicab association license application (due December 31 each year). If adjusted during the year, new rate must be filed prior to the change's effective date.

Contract Rate Rates filed with the Department Director established pursuant to contracts between taxicab associations and businesses or non-profit organizations whereby passengers use vouchers to pay fares to drivers.

File within two weeks of securing contract and before implementing contract rate.

Special Rate Discounted rates filed with the Department Director, applicable to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, that are calculated as a percentage or fraction of the taximeter rate or a fixed dollar amount per trip.

File at annual taxicab association license application (due December 31 each year). May be changed only once per year.

Application Dispatch System Rates and fares, not required to be filed with the Department Director, that are displayed via the internet on mobile interfaces such as smartphone applications. Please see the Director's Rule on application dispatch systems for more information.

4. The use of coupons or discounts to establish lower rates for taxicabs is prohibited, unless using an application dispatch system.

5. No written contract may include a provision requiring the exclusive use of the transportation services of the contracting taxicab association either directly or indirectly.

For-Hire Vehicle Rates and For-Hire Vehicle Zone Fares

1. Non-application dispatch system rates (or changes to rates) are not effective unless and until (1) filed with the Department Director and (2) available for review in a rate book provided by the for-hire vehicle company and located within the for-hire vehicle.

2. For-hire drivers may not ask, demand or collect any rate other than the rate filed. Investigations or audits shall be based upon rates filed with the Department Director. For-hire drivers may accept tips.

3. Rate information shall be displayed in a rate book that is readily accessible to the passenger and is easy for the passenger to understand. The rate book may be in paper or electronic format (e.g., tablet in back seat area).

4. The rate book shall be in the for-hire vehicle and accessible to the passenger at all times.

5. Hourly or zone rates may vary by time of day only. Variable rates shall be clearly marked and distinct from standard rates.

6. For-hire vehicles must charge for service based on one of the following methods:

For-Hire Vehicle Rates and For-Hire Vehicle Zone Fares

Definitions and Filing Requirements

Flat Rate by Address Flat charge by address filed with the Department Director by December 31 each year. Rate from one specific address to another; e.g., rate from Colman Dock to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Rates are available to the customer through a rate book in the vehicle.

Flat Rate by Zone Flat charge by zone filed with the Department Director by December 31 each year. Zone boundaries will be the same as for ZIP code zones and include all ZIP codes in the city of Seattle and a rate for a trip within the same ZIP code zone.

Flat rate may vary by time of day. If adjusted during the year, the new rate must be filed with the Department Director upon the effective date of change. Rates are available to customer through the rate book in the vehicle.

The rate for the trip shall be based on the variable rate effective at the time the trip began. Rates are available to customer through the rate book in the vehicle and must be easily discernable from standard rates by zone.

Contract Rate Rates established pursuant to written contracts between for-hire vehicle companies and businesses or non-profit organizations whereby passengers use vouchers to pay fares to drivers. Contract rates filed with the Department Director within two weeks of securing a new or updating an existing contract.

Hourly Rate Hourly rate filed with the Department Director by December 31 of each year. Minimum increment of hour. Hourly rate may vary by time of day. Rates are available to customer through a rate book in the vehicle.

The rate for the trip shall be based on the variable rate effective at the time the trip began. Rates are available to customer through the rate book in the vehicle and must be easily discernable from standard hourly rates.

Special Rate Discounted rates filed with the Department Director by December 31 of each year, applicable to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, that are calculated as a fixed amount per trip.

Application Dispatch System Not required to be filed. Please see the Director's Rule on application dispatch systems for more information.

7. The use of coupons or discounts to establish lower rates for for-hire vehicles is prohibited, unless using an application dispatch system.

8. No written contract may include a provision requiring the exclusive use of the transportation services of the contracting for-hire vehicle company either directly or indirectly.

Additional Charges to Transport Persons with Disabilities Prohibited

1. Unless part of a contract rate, operators of taxicabs, TNC vehicles and for-hire vehicles are prohibited from establishing special vehicle service rates or additional charges for the transport of persons with disabilities.