City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Resolution establishing new taxicab
rates within the City, and providing for the posting thereof, and rescinding Resolution
No. 86-R158.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council pursuant to the authority contained in the Culver City Municipal
Code Section 11.10.305 establishes the maximum rates or fares that taxicabs
operating within the City may charge.
In November 1986, by Resolution No. 86-R158, the rate for taxicabs operating in the
City was established at:
$1.80 for the flag drop or 1/8 of a mile, and
$0.20 for each additional 1/8 mile, and
$0.30 for each minute of waiting time.
The number of taxicabs permitted to operate in the City of Culver City was set in
1992 at 260 for all the companies combined. The actual number of taxicabs plying in
the City has declined over the years as follows:
In the year No. of Taxi Cabs
1999 124
2000 101
Meeting Date: 02/13/2006 Item Number: A-3
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Establishing New Taxicab Rates Within
the City and Providing for the Posting Thereof and Rescinding Resolution No. 86-
R158.
Contact Person/Dept.: Nagam Rao,
City Treasurer/Treasury
Phone Number: (310) 253 5889
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Beverly Hills Cab Company (02/08/06); Culver City Taxicab
Company (02/08/06); Independent Taxi Owners Association (02/08/06); United
Independent Taxicab Company (02/08/06); Master Notification List (02/08/06)
Department Approval:
Crystal C. Alexander (02/06/06)
CAO Approval:
Martin R. Cole for Jerry B. Fulwood
(02/06/06)
City Controller Approval:
n/aCity of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
2001 102
2002 55
2003 45
2004 36
2005 29
2006 32
During the period 2001 to 2006, the City of Los Angeles increased their taxicab rates
twice; once in 2001 and the other more recently in 2005. The details of the rate
increases are given in the following table.
Though the taxicab operators in our City had submitted a request for a rate increase
to the City Council in August 2001, it was not considered nor followed up by the taxi
operators. They have submitted another request more recently in December 2005,
which is now before you for consideration.
DISCUSSION:
With the tourism industry in Southern California continuing to show a steady growth
after the slump caused by 9/11, the demand for taxi services and rental car agencies
is expected to continue to rise in the foreseeable future. This demand would be
strengthened as the convenience of commuting to and from malls in taxis gains
greater acceptance, and as parking spaces become more and more scarce.
June 7
2001
Sept 13
2005
Flag Drop
Flag Drop, for the first 1/10
of a mile $2.00
Flag Drop, for the first 1/11
of a mile $2.20
Distance
for each additional 1/10 of a
mile $0.20
for each additional 1/11 of a
mile $0.20
Waiting
for each 32 seconds of
waiting time and /or traffic
delays $0.20 $0.20City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
During the second half of 2005, with gas prices soaring to unprecedented levels,
taxicab operators had requested staff to review the rate structure in Culver City.
Since the neighboring cities with a far greater number of taxicabs permits were
understood to be studying the impact of the rising gas prices, staff decided to await
the results of their findings.
The results were that the City of Los Angeles initiated a rate increase on
September 13, 2005, which was followed by an increase by the City of West
Hollywood on October 17, 2005, and the City of Beverly Hills on November 15,
2005. The Cities of Long Beach and Burbank have also increased their rates to
match those of the City of Los Angeles.
Given below is a table showing the current rates applicable in the City of Culver City,
and the City of Los Angeles for ready comparison
Culver
City
Los
Angeles
Flag Drop
Flag Drop, for the first 1/8 of
a mile $1.80
Flag Drop, for the first 1/11
of a mile $2.20
Distance
for each additional 1/8 of a
mile $0.20
for each additional 1/11 of a
mile $0.20
Waiting
For each 60 seconds of
waiting time and /or traffic
delay $0.30
For each 32 seconds of
waiting time and /or traffic
delay $0.20
A journey from City Hall to the Los Angeles International Airport at the current Culver
City rates (i.e. established in 1986) and the Los Angeles rates would cost $11.97
and $16.26 respectively, a difference of approximately 36%.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
As would be observed from the 260 taxicab permits available, the number of permits
actually renewed annually has been declining, and from 124 in 1999, has come
down to 32 this year.
A review of the changes introduced by the other cities this year also indicates a
tendency to bring about uniformity in the rate structure at the incremental levels as
well. So cities which operated the same rate of $0.20 for the incremental distance of
1/9 or 1/10 of a mile had chosen to adopt the 1/11 of a mile for the incremental
distances. Similarly the waiting time calculations have now been standardized in
increments of 30 seconds instead of 32, 36 and 60 second cycles. This trend for
developing a uniform rate structure is with a view to reducing the number of
complaints received from customers who are likely to take one city’s taxi operator on
the way out and return by another city’s taxi operator. A different rate structure would
result in two different charges for the same journey, which is believed to have led to
a lot of public aggravation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
While the adoption of this resolution will not have any effect on expenditures, it may
result in stopping the decline in the number of taxicab renewals, and may even result
in increasing the number of taxicab permits renewed. Since this is difficult to predict,
staff would like to take a conservative approach and refrain from making any
revenue predictions at this stage.
ATTACHMENTS:
(1) City of Los Angeles, Department of Transportation memo dated September 16,
2005.
(2) City of West Hollywood, Resolution No. 05-3326
(3) City of Beverly Hills, Agenda Report dated November 15, 2005
(4) Proposed Resolution
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt the Resolution establishing new taxicab rates within the City and providing for
the posting thereof and rescinding Resolution No. 86-R158
MEETING DATE 2/13/06
AGENDA ITEM Adoption of a Resolution Establishing New Taxicab Rates Within
the City and Providing for the Posting Thereof and Rescinding
Resolution No 86-R158
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1 City of Los Angeles, Department of Transportation Memo dated
September 16, 2005 1 —2
2 City of West Hollywood, Resolution No 05-3326 3
3 City of Beverly Hills, Agenda Report dated November 15, 2005 4 — 7
4 Proposed Resolution Establishing New Taxicab Rates within the City
and Providing for the Posting Thereof and Rescinding Resolution
No 86-R158 8 - 9Attachment #1
JAMES K HAHN
MAYOR
Sep 16 2005 3 53PM
HP LFISERJET 3200
WAY NE K TAN DA
GEN ERAL NA-W.0ER
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CALIFORNIA DEPA
TRAN
TM NT OF
PO ATION
A ST EET SUITE 500
LEE
90012
58 177|1010| f 88
September 16, 2005
TO ALL LOS ANGELES TAXICAB OPERATORS
APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE TAXIMETER RATE SOH
IN LOS ANGELES AND NEW RATE STICKER REQUIREMENTS
On September 13, 2005, the Los Angeles City Cowell approved a new taximeter rate in
102% The Taxicab Regulation Division will notify all operators when the ordinance
published and the date when the new taximeter rate schedule will become effect
October) Although you may order new rate cards for your vehicles at this time, y
not change the rates until the effective date of the new rate ordinance. New rate
and taximeter re-certification must be completed prior to using the new rate schedul
This letter will provide you with rate card information Including the new require
add information in the rate sticker that was formerly contained in separate sign
each
taxicab A sample of the new rate card is provided Please note that the info
regarding credit cards and company identification will differ for each operator
The new taxicab rates in the City of Los Angeles will be as follows
a flag drop - $220 for the first 1/11th mile or 30 seconds or fraction
(current rate is $2 00 for the first iii 0th mile or 32 seconds ofwartmg)
b distance - $020 for each additional 1/11th mile or part equivalent to
$2
mile - (current rate is $0 20 per 1/i 0th mile equivalent or $2 00 per mile)
time delay - $020 for each 30 seconds waiting time and/or traffic
equivalent to $2400 per hour - (current rate is $020 per 32 seconds war
$22 50 per hour)
flat fare - $3300 flat fare per trip (group) for taxicab trips between Los
International Airport and Downtown Los Angeles - (no change from
rate)
airport surcharge - $250 surcharge for trips ongmating at the Los
International Airport - (no change from current rate)
(UP AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
of
en
te
ay
rs
to
de
re|10 10|de
rig
gel
re
gel
221 N FIGLIER
LOS ANG
(21
pi&L'Lg-CAY
La
SEP 16 200
BY '3 k-'11Taximeter Rate Changes -3- September
Sep 16 2005 3 53PM HI' LilbLKJt1 .lcuu
05
Please reference the enclosed rate card to ensure all information is included. Slightly
text fonts and overall sign size may vary Please feel free to contact me if you
questions or require further mfoimation at (213) 580-1261, facsmule number (213) 580-
Sincerely,
THOMAS M. DRISCRLER, Taxicab Administrator
Taxicab Regulation Division
c Donald Mansion, Jeannine Brands, Alexis Cameron, Sam Woo
h05-245 tmd
Enclosure
IAttachment #2
RESOLUTION NO 05-3326
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD AUTHORIZING AN
INCREASE IN TAXIMETER RATES PURSUANT TO
ORDINANCE NO 04-675
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS
SECTION 1 Section 5 108 040 i of Ordinance 04-675 provides that the
'rate schedule for taxicab services shall be established by resolution of the City
Council from time to time
SECTION 2 Rates shall be as follows
Flaq drop - $2 20 for the first 1/11 mile or 30 seconds or fraction thereof
Distance - $0 20 for each additional 1/11 mile or part equivalent to ($2 20
per mile)
Time Delay - $0 20 for each 30 seconds waiting time and/or traffic delay
time ($24 00)
SECTION 3 In lieu of the above rates passengers going to LAX from
anywhere in West Hollywood can elect to pay a flat fare of $35 00
PASSED APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
West Hollywood at a regular meeting held this 17 th day of October 2005 by the
following vote
AYES Councilmember Duran, Guarriello Mayor
Pro Tempore Heilman
Prang, and Mayor Land
NOES Councilmember None
ABSENT Councilmember None
ABSTAIN Councilmember None
ABBE LAND MAYOR
ATTEST
THOMAS R WEST CITY CLERKAttachment #3
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date November 15 2005
Item Number
To Honorable Mayor & City Council
From Gabnel S Szasz Transportation Planning Analyst
Subject AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS RELATED
TO INCREASE OF METERED TAXICAB RATES AND
AMENDING THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE
Attachments 1 Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Ordinance to modify the Beverly Hills
Municipal Code to increase the taximeter rates
INTRODUCTION
This report is a request for the City Council approval of the Ordinance to modify the
Beverly Hills Municipal Code to increase the taximeter rate to the same level of the
Cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood and to establish a flat taxi rate to Los
Angeles Airport (LAX)
DISCUSSION
The proposed taxi meter rate increase is shown in the chart below In addition the
proposal includes a flat rate of $35 to the LAX from pick-ups anywhere within the City of
Beverly Hills The City of West Hollywood has a flat rate of $35 to LAX and the City of
Los Angeles has a flat rate of $38 from downtown Los Angeles to LAX
,
q.
Page 1 of 3 11/4/2005Meeting Date November 15 2005 Taxi Meter Rate Increase
Description
Current Taxi Meter Rate
Pro Dosed Taxi Meter Rate
Flag Drop
$1 90 for the first 1/9th mile or
36 seconds
$220 for the first 1/11th mile or
30 seconds
Distance $0 20 for each additional 1/9th mile $0 20 for each additional 1/11th mile
Time Delay
$0 20 seconds for each 36 seconds of
waiting time $20 hourly
$0 20 seconds for each 36 seconds of
waiting time $24 hourly
The City Council reviewed the proposed rate increase at its October 25 Study Session
The taxi companies originally proposed a $35 flat rate to LAX for areas south of Santa
Monica Boulevard and a $38 flat rate to LAX for areas north of Santa Monica Boulevard
The City Council requested a single flat rate be applied Citywide
In response the taxi companies have agreed to a $35 citywide flat rate However, the
taxi companies have offered an alternative $40 pnce ceiling in lieu of the flat rate The
taxi companies have expressed that a flat rate would not be advantageous to residents
who reside in the southern areas of the City that would be charged less than $35 with a
normal meter rate
NOTICING
Notices advising of the City Council s consideration of this ordinance were sent to all taxi
companies licensed in the City which includes Beverly Hills Cab Company Independent
Cab Company and United Independent Taxi Drivers
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Ordinance modification would have no direct costs to the City
David Gustayson Director
Approved By
Page 2 of 2 11/4/2005 EORDINANCE NO 05-0-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY BILLS
RELATED TO INCREASE OF METERED TAXICAB RATES
AN) AMENDING THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS HEREBY
ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS
Section 1 Section 7-4 215 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 7 of the Beverly Hills
Municipal Code is amended to read as follows
"Sec 7-4 215 Metered taxicab rates
be fixed as follows (a) Taxicab rates for any taxicab operating over any street in the City shall
(1) Two Dollars and twenty cents ($2 20) for the first one-eleventh
(1/11) mile or fraction thereof, or thirty (30) seconds of waiting time or fraction thereof,
(2) Twenty (20) cents for each additional one-eleventh (1/11) mile or
fraction thereof, or thirty (30) seconds waiting time or fraction thereof
(3) Thirty-five dollar ($35 00) flat rate to the Los Angeles Airport
(b) The rates and fares set forth m subsection (a) of this Section shall be
collected only to the extent shown on the taxicab meter, plus any surcharge applicable, regardless
of the number of persons occupying the taxicab No rate other than that specified m this Section
shall be placed m effect, charged, demanded, or collected for taxicab service ongmatmg m the City,
regardless of whether the destmahon of such service is within or beyond the corporate boundaries
of the City
Section 2 The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published at least once in
a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City within fifteen (15) days after
its passage, in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code, shall certify to the adoption
of this ordinance, and shall cause this ordinance and his certification, together with proof of
publication, to be entered m the Book of Ordinances of the Council of this City
B0785\0001\858497 1 14 -1-
(LAX)Section 3 This ordmance shall go into effect and be m full force and effect at 12 01
am on the thirty-first (31st) day after its passage
Adopted
Effective
LINDA J BRISKMAN
Mayor of the City of
Beverly Hills, California
ATTEST
(SEAL)
BYRON POPE
Acting City Clerk
APPROVED AS T ORM APPROVED AS TO CONTENT
L I?RENCE S WIENER
City Attorney
RODERICK J WOOD
City Manager
C-' .r---
DAVID D G T
if
VSON
Director of Public Works &
Transportation
,
i
B0785\0001\858497 1 -2 -Attachment #4
RESOLUTION NO 2006-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING NEW
TAXICABS RATES WITHIN THE CITY AND PROVIDING
FOR THE POSTING THEREOF AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NO 86-R158
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 11 10 305 of the Culver City
Municipal Code, the City Council may, by resolution, establish the
maximum rates or fares for taxicabs operating within the City
WHEREAS the rates or fares currently in effect were
established in 1986,
WHEREAS several taxicab operators have approached the
City about an increase in the City's maximum rates or fares, and,
WHEREAS, in order to assure that the City s taxicab services
remain competitive and of a high quality, the City s maximum taxicab
rates or fares should be set at a rate comparable to the rates or fares of
surrounding communities
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City California
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows|109| The maximum rates or fares for taxicabs within the City are
established as follows
MAXIMUM
$2 20 first 1/11 mile
$0 20 each additional 1/11 mile
$0 20 each minute of waiting time and/or traffic delays|109| No charge shall be levied for extra passengers or baggage|109| There shall be displayed in the passenger compartment of each
taxicab a full view of the passenger card not less than four (4) inches by six (6) inches
g
I|1010101010101010 10
10|11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
A06- 00036
(IPrn)I|1010101010101010 10
10|11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
A06- 00036
(IPrn)
in size which shall have plainly printed thereon the name of the owner and the fictitious
name, if any, under which such owner operates, the business address and telephone
number of the owner and a correct schedule of the rates to be charged for conveyance
in the vehicle Such rate and identification card shall be permanently affixed in the
passenger compartment and shall be contained in a metal frame covered by heavy duty
transparent plastic product such as Lucite Glass shall not be used for this purpose
Failure to comply with this requirement both as to the original installation and
continuous maintenance of such rate schedule and identification card shall be
considered adequate grounds for the Chief of Police to revoke or suspend the taxicab
permit as provided in Section 11 10 060 of the Culver City Municipal Code This
requirement shall be considered supplemental to the provisions of the Culver City
Municipal Code Section 11 10 310|109| Resolution No 86-R158 is hereby rescinded
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of , 2006
ALBERT VERA, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST APPROVED AS TO FORM
CHRISTOPHER ARMENTA City Clerk CAROL A SCHWAB, City Attorney
-2-
1