Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 54 Pa.B. 488 (January 27, 2024).

Pennsylvania Code



Subchapter C. METERS


Sec.


1017.21.    Taxicab meters.
1017.22.    Meter calibration and testing.
1017.23.    Approved meters.
1017.24.    Meter activation and display.
1017.25.    One meter.
1017.26.    Certificate holder responsible.

§ 1017.21. Taxicab meters.

 (Editor’s Note: Subsection (b) has been recognized as invalid as applied to partial-rights taxicabs. Germantown Cab Company v. Philadelphia Parking Authority, 155 A.3d 669 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2017).)

 (a)  Generally. Each taxicab must be equipped with one sealed meter that satisfies the requirements in this subchapter.

 (b)  Inspection and seals.

   (1)  A taxicab meter will be inspected by the Authority prior to use.

   (2)  The Authority will conduct meter accuracy testing to assure the meter is calibrated as provided in §  1017.22 (relating to meter calibration and testing).

   (3)  Each taxicab meter must be equipped with a tamper-resistant seal to ensure that it is incapable of unauthorized access or manipulation of the data contained therein or to charge a fare not authorized by the Authority as provided in section 5703 or 5720 of the act, or both (relating to rates; and wages). Upon determining that a meter functions properly, the Enforcement Department will attach a numbered seal to the meter, if applicable.

   (4)  A meter may not be used in a taxicab unless it is sealed as provided in paragraph (3). If the seal becomes broken or damaged, the certificate holder shall remove the taxicab from service immediately and schedule a new meter inspection by the Enforcement Department.

 (c)  Location of meter. The meter shall be installed in the center of the driver portion of the taxicab in a position that permits the passenger to view the current fare.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  1017.21 temporarily amended under 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02.

Source

   The provisions of this §  1017.21 temporarily amended May 5, 2017, effective February 25, 2017, expire upon promulgation of final-form regulations or on November 5, 2018, whichever is later, as set forth in 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02(b), 47 Pa.B. 2558. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (374004).

Cross References

   This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §  1017.26 (relating to certificate holder responsible); and 52 Pa. Code §  1021.11 (relating to driver requirements).

§ 1017.22. Meter calibration and testing.

 (a)  A taxicab meter must be calibrated in accordance with the certificate holder’s approved tariff or standard rates set by the Authority and meters must otherwise properly calculate fares, including the assigned monetary rates, calculations of time and calculations of distance traveled.

 (b)  Meter testing may include the road operation of the taxicab with an inspector while the meter is engaged.

 (c)  A meter must be able to pass an accuracy test conducted by an inspector at any time.

Cross References

   This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §  1017.21 (relating to taxicab meters); and 52 Pa. Code §  1017.215 (relating to taxicab meters).

§ 1017.23. Approved meters.

 (a)  The Authority will maintain a list of meters approved for use in taxicabs. The list of approved taxicab meters may be obtained from the Authority’s web site at www.philapark.org/tld.

 (b)  A certificate holder may request to the Director in writing for the approval of the use of a new taxicab meter technology system. The request must include a detailed description of the technology, its technological specifications and functionality, which must meet the requirements of §  1017.24 (relating to meter activation and display).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  1017.23 temporarily amended under 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02.

Source

   The provisions of this §  1017.23 temporarily amended May 5, 2017, effective February 25, 2017, expire upon promulgation of final-form regulations or on November 5, 2018, whichever is later, as set forth in 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02(b), 47 Pa.B. 2558. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (374004).

Cross References

   This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §  1017.5 (relating to basic vehicle standards); 52 Pa. Code §  1017.24 (relating to meter activation and display); 52 Pa. Code §  1017.51 (relating to definitions); and 52 Pa. Code §  1019.8 (relating to dispatcher requirements).

§ 1017.24. Meter activation and display.

 (a)  A taxicab meter may not be in operation before the taxicab is engaged by a passenger. The taxicab meter must be in operation during the entire time the vehicle is engaged by a passenger.

 (b)  A taxicab passenger shall be required to pay only the amount recorded by the taxicab meter.

 (c)  The meter must continuously display the current rate charged for an active fare and the display must be visible to the passenger.

 (d)  The meters in every taxicab must have properly attached and approved receipt printers specified by the Authority in §  1017.23 (relating to approved meters), including all of the following:

   (1)  The ability to issue a receipt containing information required by the Authority, including all of the following:

     (i)   The mileage of the trip and amount paid, expressed in United States dollars.

     (ii)   The vehicle’s taxicab number.

     (iii)   The taxicab’s dispatcher.

     (iv)   The driver’s certificate number.

     (v)   The Authority’s phone number or email address to be used to report complaints.

     (vi)   The time and date of the fare.

   (2)  The ability to provide drivers with driving directions through a global positioning system.

   (3)  Global positioning system tracking to monitor the location of each taxicab and provide driving directions to the taxicab driver.

   (4)  The ability to pay fares through the use of credit card and debit card processing hardware mounted in the passenger compartment. A transaction, processing or other fees associated with the acceptance of a credit card or debit card fare payment and delivery of the fare payment to the taxicab driver may not exceed 5% of the total fare amount.

   (5)  A driver recognition function to permit only Authority certified drivers in possession of a taxicab driver’s certificate to activate and then use the meter to provide taxicab service.

   (6)  The ability to be remotely disabled by the Authority.

   (7)  The ability to communicate voice and text messages between the driver, dispatcher and the Authority.

 (e)  A meter system may include a distress button that can be easily activated by a driver to silently communicate to the dispatcher the need for emergency assistance.

 (f)  Partial-rights certificate holders are not required to comply with subsection (d).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  1017.24 temporarily amended under 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02.

Source

   The provisions of this §  1017.24 temporarily amended May 5, 2017, effective February 25, 2017, expire upon promulgation of final-form regulations or on November 5, 2018, whichever is later, as set forth in 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02(b), 47 Pa.B. 2558. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (374004) and (379967).

Cross References

   This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §  1011.11 (relating to record retention); 52 Pa. Code §  1017.23 (relating to approved meters); 52 Pa. Code §  1017.63 (relating to receipts); 52 Pa. Code §  1021.11 (relating to driver requirements); and 52 Pa. Code §  1021.12 (relating to additional requirements).

§ 1017.25. One meter.

 A taxicab is prohibited from containing a taxicab meter other than the approved meter inspected by the Authority and sealed by the Authority, if applicable.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  1017.25 temporarily amended under 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02.

Source

   The provisions of this §  1017.25 temporarily amended May 5, 2017, effective February 25, 2017, expire upon promulgation of final-form regulations or on November 5, 2018, whichever is later, as set forth in 53 Pa.C.S. §  57B02(b), 47 Pa.B. 2558. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (379967).

§ 1017.26. Certificate holder responsible.

 The certificate holder shall inspect each taxicab meter prior to service each day to assure it has been approved for use by the Authority, is sealed as provided in §  1017.21(b)(3) (relating to taxicab meters) and is in proper working order. Unsealed or improperly sealed meters and malfunctioning meters shall be reported to the Enforcement Department immediately. A certificate holder may select a person to conduct the inspections required under this subsection on the certificate holder’s behalf.



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