Calling upon the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to require taxicab providers doing business in a City of the First Class to provide handicapped accessible vehicles to service those needing such transportation at a rate no higher than that charged non-handicapped passengers.

WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania all local taxicab operators are licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC);. and

WHEREAS, The PUC regulates and licenses taxi operators and companies to run their service in a certain geographic area; and

WHEREAS, Currently the PUC does not require taxicab companies to operate any wheelchair accessible cabs in order to be licensed; and

WHEREAS, It may be in the power of the PUC to adopt a policy or position statement with such a stipulation; and

WHEREAS, All taxicab companies providing transportation within a City of the First Class should provide vehicles readily accessible to and useable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters at a rate no higher than that charged non-handicapped passengers: and

WHEREAS, Each taxi cab company operating within the City of Harrisburg should provide a level of service, including but not limited to, response time and fee, which is comparable to the level of services provided to individuals without disabilities such taxi cab service; and

WHEREAS, The freedom and choice to call or hail an accessible cab – to get spur of the minute transportation, to have access to the full range of transportation possibilities offered to the public – is part of fully participating in the community life of our Commonwealth; now therefore

RESOLVED, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA calls on the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission to require taxicab providers doing business in a City of the First Class to provide handicapped accessible vehicles to service those needing such transportation at a rate no higher than that charged non-handicapped passengers.

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