Department:

City of Seattle

Department of Finance and Administrative Services Rule No:

FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-03-2021

Supersedes:

Clerk File 321806

Publication:

4/9/2021

Effective:

5/7/2021

Subject:

Wheelchair Accessible Services Surcharge Code and Section Reference(s):

SMC 6.310.175

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

FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION-03-2021 Wheelchair Accessible Services Surcharge

________________________________________

Revision of Prior Administrative Rule

This rule supersedes Clerk File 321806 Wheelchair Accessible Services Surcharge.

Wheelchair Accessible Services Fund. All Wheelchair Accessible Services (WAS) surcharges will be deposited into the Wheelchair Accessible Services Fund. This fund is a self-supporting fund that shall be used to offset the higher operational costs of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Responsibility of Medallion Owners and Transportation Network Companies. Medallion owners and Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) must collect WAS surcharges from all affiliated vehicles, file the authorized forms and complete trip records with the City of Seattle, and remit the surcharges to the City of Seattle. Inability to collect the surcharge does not release the owner or company's obligation to pay the WAS surcharge.

Amount of WAS Surcharge. SMC 6.310.175 requires a surcharge of 10 cents/trip to be paid. Alternatively, medallion owners may pay the estimated WAS surcharge.

Estimated WAS Surcharge. If complete trip records are not available or a medallion owner so chooses, an invoice for the estimated surcharge will be presented to the medallion owner during the medallion renewal process or during the medallion transfer process. The estimated surcharge will be based on historical and current industry data obtained by the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of the City of Seattle's Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS). Estimates will be reviewed at least every two years and if changes to estimated surcharges need to be made, a revised rule shall be issued.

All estimated annual WAS surcharge fees due for the period beginning April 1, 2020, and thereafter will be computed based on the table below. The amounts in the table reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic downturn on the taxi and for-hire industry. Available data show total for-hire trips originating in the City and County declined by approximately 80 percent during the final three quarters of 2020, relative to the same period in 2019.

Estimated Annual Surcharge Fees: April 1, 2020 to present Estimated WAS Surcharge

Taxicab Medallion City only $29 per year

County only $17 per year

Dual City and County $29 per year

For-Hire Medallion County only $17 per year

Dual City and County $17 per year

All outstanding WAS surcharge fees for the period beginning April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020, will be computed based on the table below. The amounts in the table reflect the average number of trips per taxi (1,450) for the period beginning at the start of Q3-2019 through the end of Q2-2020.

Estimated Annual Surcharge Fees: April 1, 2019 March 31, 2020 Estimated WAS Surcharge

Taxicab Medallion City only $145 per year

County only $85 per year

Dual City and County $145 per year

For-Hire Medallion County only $85 per year

Dual City and County $85 per year

All outstanding WAS surcharge fees for the period beginning April 1, 2017, through March 31, 2019, will be computed based on the table below. The amounts in the table reflect the average number of trips per taxi as found in the 2017 Seattle Taxicab Industry Revenue and Operating Statistics.

Estimated Annual Surcharge Fees: April 1, 2017 March 31, 2019 Estimated WAS Surcharge

Taxicab Medallion City only $280 per year

County only $188 per year

Dual City and County $280 per year

For-Hire Medallion County only $188 per year

Dual City and County $188 per year

All outstanding WAS surcharge fees predating April 1, 2017, will be computed based on the table below. The amounts in the table reflect the average number of trips per taxi as found in the 2015 Seattle Taxicab Industry Revenue and Operating Statistics.

Estimated Annual Surcharge Fees: Predating April 1, 2017 Estimated WAS Surcharge

Taxicab Medallion City only $440 per year

County only $288 per year

Dual City and County $440 per year

For-Hire Medallion County only $288 per year

Dual City and County $288 per year

Authorized Forms. Complete trip records shall be made upon forms authorized by the Director of FAS or his or her designee (the Department Director). Forms provided by the Department Director will be available to all medallion owners, licensed taxicab associations, for-hire vehicle companies and TNCs prior to the due date of the fee. The Department Director may reject a report made on a form not authorized by the Director.

Proration. When a medallion is transferred, the WAS surcharge shall be prorated.

Trip. A trip is defined as transporting a passenger from one place to another for compensation.

Trip Reporting Method. The Medallion Owner or TNC will collect and report revenue trip documentation for all affiliated vehicles and remit the 10-cents-per-trip surcharge to CPD.

Reporting Frequency. The fee imposed by SMC 6.310.175 shall be reported and paid in quarterly installments by TNCs and at medallion transfer or renewal for medallion owners, unless, at the Department Director's discretion, companies or owners are assigned to a monthly or annual reporting period.

Due Dates.

1. If on a quarterly schedule: WAS surcharge trip reports and payments are due on the last day of the next month after the period covered by the form. For example, trip reports covering the first quarter of the year are due on April 30.

2. If on medallion renewal: WAS surcharge complete trip records and payments are due on the day of renewal of the medallion.

3. If on medallion transfer: WAS surcharge complete trip records and payments are due on the day of transfer of the medallion.

4. If the due date for filing a trip report and payment falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the filing is timely if the report is either (i) received by the City (in the City's possession), or (ii) postmarked by the United States Postal Service, on the next business day.

Payment with Trip Record Required. The Department Director may refuse to accept any trip record that is not accompanied by a remittance of the WAS surcharge payment shown to be due thereon, or any payment which is not accompanied by a trip report form, and if not accepted, the company shall be deemed to have failed to file a report and shall be subject to penalties.

Completing the Trip Record. All trip records shall be signed by a responsible officer or agent of the TNC or by the medallion owner. The individual signing the form will certify or declare, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington, that the information contained in the trip report is true and correct.

Audits and Penalties. If any medallion owner or TNC fails to timely submit payment, the City of Seattle will assess the WAS surcharge based on the estimated surcharge to the medallion owner and may issue a license or medallion suspension notice.

The City of Seattle may periodically audit trip records, dispatch records, application records, or other records as required of medallion owners or TNCs to ensure accurate and complete reporting of revenue trips.

Appeals. A medallion owner or TNC may appeal any license or medallion suspension within ten days of the license suspension, per SMC 6.310.