§ 162-200. Accessible taxicab (AT).

(1)

The director of safety and permits is hereby authorized to issue nontransferable certificates of public necessity and convenience for accessible taxis (AT). The AT Certificates of Public Necessity and Convenience (CPNC) shall not be transferred, leased, sold, or donated. In the event of a sale of a company possessing an AT CPNC, the purchaser must apply for the applicable permits as set forth in this article.

(2)

All accessible taxicabs must comply with guidelines set forth in the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

(3)

Any vehicle which has been modified or custom-built must be fully compliant with all relevant FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) requirements. The manufacturer or modifier will provide, upon request, certified engineering test reports to show compliance with FMVSS.

(4)

The City of New Orleans may revoke an AT CPNC for cause. Cause for revocation of an AT CPNC includes, but is not limited to, citizen complaints, a substandard level of service, or unauthorized or excessive billing. Also, an AT CPNC may be revoked should the vehicle for which the AT CPNC was issued cease operation as an ADA compliant accessible taxicab. Furthermore, AT drivers shall grant priority to requests for service from people with disabilities, and wheelchair or mobility scooter users. Each AT driver shall maintain verifiable trip sheets documenting the response to each request for AT transportation and shall maintain said trip sheets in accordance with section 162-609(b).

(5)

All AT CPNCs shall have an operating two-way radio. All AT CPNC vehicles shall be painted a distinct color as set forth by the ground transportation bureau and have ground transportation bureau approved labels on its exterior identifying the vehicle as wheelchair accessible. The model year of vehicles for which a new AT CPNC will be issued must be of the same year as the AT CPNC. No vehicle for which an AT CPNC has been issued may be operated when the model year of said vehicle is greater than eight model years old. An additional three model years may be granted for alternative fuel vehicles.

(6)

All AT CPNC companies shall have 24 hour central dispatch. Such companies shall provide service to customers at any location in the City of New Orleans within 30 minutes from the customer's call for service.

(7)

The fees charged by the department of safety and permits for certificates of public necessity and convenience for AT CPNCs are as follows:

(a)

Initial license: $300.00.

(b)

Annual renewal: $300.00.

(c)

Delinquency penalty. A certificate of public necessity and convenience (CPNC) for accessible taxicabs expires on December 31 of each year and must be renewed within the month following expiration (January) for a fee of $300.00. A CPNC renewal that is submitted in the month of February is subject to a delinquency penalty of $150.00 in addition to the renewal fee of $150.00. A CPNC renewal that is submitted in the month of March is subject to a delinquency penalty of $150.00 in addition to the renewal fee and the February delinquency penalty. A CPNC shall not be renewed after March 31; however, the director of the department of safety and permits (or his designee) at his discretion may make an exception for good cause shown by the CPNC holder. The request for an exception must be in writing before April 1 and if granted is subject to a delinquency penalty of $50.00 per month beginning in the month of April. This delinquency penalty shall be in addition to the fees and penalties outlined above.

(d)

Revocation of certificates of public necessity and convenience (CPNC). A certificate of public necessity and convenience (CPNC) that is not renewed by September 30 is suspended. A CPNC shall be revoked if a renewal is not submitted in July, August, or September, or within the extended time period granted by the director or the designee.

(e)

Extension for acquiring a vehicle and fee. Compliance with the requirement that a certificate of public necessity and convenience (CPNC) holder must have a vehicle in service may be extended for a period of time by the director of the department of safety and permits (or his designee) for good cause. The first extended time period is limited to a maximum of 90 days. Additional extensions may be granted but the aggregate of such extensions is limited to a maximum of one year. There is no fee for the first extension. Additional extensions are subject to a fee of $50.00 per month. If a vehicle is not placed into service within the extended time period granted by the director or the designee, the CPNC shall be revoked.

(M.C.S., Ord. No. 16,880, § 1(12-45f), 2-2-95; M.C.S., Ord. No. 21480, § 5, 4-1-04; M.C.S., Ord. No. 24665, § 2, 11-3-11; M.C.S., Ord. No. 24876, § 2, 6-7-12; M.C.S., Ord. No. 26306, § 1, 3-26-15; M.C.S., Ord. No. 26591, § 1, 9-17-15; M.C.S., Ord. 27992, § 3, 2-7-19)