Taxi Ordinance Overhaul Designed to Improve Passenger Experience in White Plains

White Plains has made changes to its taxi ordinance that are said to enhance the passenger experience and strengthen the value of the medallions.

The Common Council approved the changes at is meeting Monday, April 4, 2016.

Mayor Thomas Roach had been seeking improvements to the regulations.

“This legislation comprehensively updates the city’s taxicab ordinance to better meet the needs of our growing city,” he said, in a prepared statement.

“We focused on the customer experience and have included a broad range of changes that I believe will make for a better overall experience for passengers,” he said.

Information from the mayor’s office said the ordinance does the following:

• Authorizes five (5) additional White Plains taxicab medallions to be assigned to accessible vehicles only. White Plains will be the first Westchester municipality to incentivize the inclusion of accessible vehicles as part of its taxicab fleet;

• Allows hailing within a defined ‘Hail Zone’ located in the downtown area;

• Replaces the Zone Map, which currently governs fares, with a requirement that all White Plains taxicabs utilize taximeters. The Hail Zone Map is largely regarded as confusing and has been a frequent source of customer complaints. All White Plains licensed taxicabs are required to install a taximeter within 3 months from the enactment of the ordinance;

• Requires that all White Plains licensed taxicabs be painted a uniform color (white) and attach a White Plains taxicab medallion sticker (to be provided by the WPPD) to the vehicle so that the riding public as well as the Police Department can easily identify licensed White Plains taxicabs. The color requirement will take effect at the next annual medallion renewal. Medallions are generally renewed in November and December of each year;

• Requires that all White Plains licensed taxicab drivers submit to annual drug testing;

• Reduces the overall age and improves the condition of the City’s taxi fleet by requiring that cars be taken out of service when they reach 400,000 miles. This will ensure that the fleet is comprised of newer, more fuel efficient and lower-emission vehicles. The maximum vehicle mileage requirement will take effect 6 months from the enactment of the ordinance;

• Simplifies the rate structure and provides a modest rate increase for all White Plains licensed taxicabs. The last rate increase was approved 14 years ago; and

• Requires that owners and drivers of taxicabs maintain vehicles in a clean and safe condition.

The changes come after the installation last September of two special patrol officers who will serve as taxi starters at the White Plains Metro North station.

Their function is to help customers utilize the station and ensure the orderly operation of taxicabs.

The starters work Monday through Friday during the morning and evening rush hours—7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo caption: No. 1—The new hail zone in downtown White Plains; No. 2—New taxicab medallion sticker.