Posted: | October 18, 2017 12:19 PM |
---|---|
From: | Representative Nick Miccarelli |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Philadelphia Limousine Operator Annual Assessment |
In the future, I will be introducing legislation that amends Title 53, Chapter 57 (Taxicabs and Limousines in First Class Cities) to establish an annual regulatory assessment on limousine owners certificated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) that is based on 1% of the limousine owner’s gross revenue generated for the provisioning of limousine service in City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Airport. Act 164 of 2016 provided the regulatory framework for TNCs like Uber, Lyft, and Yellow Z to legally operate in the Commonwealth. The act likewise modernized outdated taxi and limousine regulations to foster a level playing field in terms of the regulation and assessment of all transportation service providers operating in the Commonwealth. While taxi operators across the Commonwealth (including Philadelphia) and limousine operators everywhere except Philadelphia pay their respective regulatory body an assessment that is based on 1% of their gross revenue, limousines operating in Philadelphia are still required to pay an assessment to the PPA that is based on an outdated, unrealistic and unsubstantiated formula. In 2016, the PPA’s limousine assessment was $404.00 per vehicle registered to provide limousine service in Philadelphia and this year, the PPA’s assessment more than doubled to $858.00 per vehicle absent explanation or substantiation. While some Philadelphia limousine owners have appealed the recent surge in PPA assessments and have successfully negotiated a lower assessment rate, the appeal process is costly, time consuming and unpredictable. My legislation cures this deficiency by leveling the playing field to provide limousine owners that provide limousine service in the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Airport with a stable and predictable assessment ratemaking process. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1977