ORDINANCE NO. BL2011-49

An Ordinance amending Chapter 6.74 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to the regulation and operation of motorized, non-taxi passenger vehicles for hire.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County recognizes and understands that the tourism industry is vital to a healthy economy in the City; and

WHEREAS, the City must remain competitive with other world class cities that provide tourism and convention center services; and

WHEREAS, Section 6.74.025 of the Metropolitan Code currently prohibits fees for livery services from being based on a meter or mileage calculation, and requires a $45 minimum fee for transportation between specific points; and

WHEREAS, the current $45 minimum fee for livery services is not competitive with other world class cities.

NOW BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Section 6.74.025 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the provisions of subsection D.1.c and substituting with the following new provisions:

“Fare determined on a time-usage basis, not meter or mileage. Rates will be established in time unit increments for a minimum of a one-hour period. Livery services may also charge a flat rate for transportation between specific points.”

Section 2. That Section 6.74.205 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the provisions in the section and substituting the following provisions:

“All vehicles permitted under this chapter must be registered to a certificate holder, except as authorized for special temporary service. This section does not prohibit the use of a leased livery vehicle as a vehicle for hire, provided the leased vehicle has a valid vehicle permit issued pursuant to this chapter. Further, this section does not restrict the use of a properly permitted livery vehicle by a permitted driver or certificate holder, even though the driver or certificate holder may not be the title holder of the vehicle. For any other purpose, the use of rental vehicles as passenger vehicles for hire is prohibited.”

Section 3. That Chapter 6.74 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the provisions of Section 6.74.230 in their entirety substituting with the following new provisions:

6.74.230 - Mileage limit.

A. Effective January 1, 2012, no vehicle to be operated as a passenger vehicle for hire may exceed the following maximum allowable mileage limits:

1. No limousine may have more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) miles on the odometer;

2. No sedan or SUV may have more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) miles on the odometer.

3. No passenger van or other passenger vehicle may have more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) miles on the odometer.

B. The commission shall establish by its rules a procedure by which an affected holder may seek a waiver under this section.

Section 4. That Section 6.74.320 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the first two sentences of subsection A. in their entirety and substituting with the following:

“A. Livery services and any other passenger vehicle for hire services restricted to pre-arranged services must present contracts (trip tickets) for transportation services. Passenger vehicle for hire services operating by pre-arrangement shall obtain written or electronic contracts (trip tickets) for services at least fifteen minutes (15) in advance of the scheduled pickup time.”

Section 5. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its enactment, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Davette Blalock