Authorizing Hearings of the Committee on Licenses and Inspections regarding the Towing Industry in Philadelphia and the feasibility of reforms including the ban of non-storage related fees and the feasibility of bidding out towing to a set number of providers in the City.

WHEREAS, There are 15,000 accidents annually in the City of Philadelphia serious enough to require towing; and

WHEREAS, There are 800 licensed tow trucks in the city and over 100 firms; and

WHEREAS, Despite major reforms of the towing industry in Philadelphia, some firms continue to charge excessive fees; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Licenses and Inspections is authorized to hold hearings on the towing industry in Philadelphia, the fees charged by the industry and the feasibility of banning non-storage related fees.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Committee on Licenses and Inspections is authorized to investigate the feasibility of limiting the number of towing operators in the City by geographic area and through a competitive bidding process.

End