ARLINGTON, Va. – The County Board today enacted an Arlington County Taxicab Ordinance (Chapter 25.1 of the Code of Arlington County). In an effort to improve customer service and reduce the fleets’ carbon footprint, the new ordinance revamps the processes for rate review and taxicab certification, and sets fuel-efficiency standards. Revisions to the previous ordinance include regular, biennial processes to consider fare rates and to authorize certificates for new taxicabs.

 

“Taxis are an important part of Arlington’s transportation assets,” commented Barbara A. Favola, Arlington County Board Chairman. “The new ordinance is a win-win for the taxi industry, customers, and the environment.”

In consultation with the Transportation Commission, the local taxicab industry and other stakeholders, County staff rewrote the existing ordinance to meet the changing needs of the community. Several updates to the ordinance also address recent industry and environmental concerns. Key revisions include:

As part of the comprehensive update to the ordinance, the County hired Nelson-Nygaard in the spring of 2007 to conduct the Arlington County Taxi Study and examine the existing, local taxicab industry and regulation. The study, which was completed in April 2008, compared Arlington’s taxicab regulation with those of peer jurisdictions, and developed strategies to address the issues and opportunities. Final recommendations included defining and monitoring standards for customer service, revising the license-allocation process to reward customer-service, and reducing the fleets’ environmental impact.

 

County staff also conducted the Arlington County Taxicab User Survey in the fall of 2008 to gather public feedback. In addition to the survey, staff and the Transportation Commission held four public workshops during the late 2008 and early 2009.

 

To read the Board report on this item, click here, click on June 13 agenda -- and look for item # 46.

 

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.