The Law and the Taxi: The Right Regulatory Mix in the Age of Emerging Technologies
Explore the challenges presented by emerging technologies and smartphone applications in the taxi industry, with a focus on regulatory considerations. Delve into the debate surrounding rogue smartphone apps for taxicabs and limousines, as well as the proliferation of taxi-hailing apps. Discover the impact of these advancements on safety, accountability, and consumer protection within the transportation sector.
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THE LAW AND THE TAXI: THE RIGHT REGULATORY MIX THE CHALLENGE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND SMART PHONE APPLICATIONS Presented By Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq.
Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq. Presented By Distinguished Lecturer, UTRC President, COTA President, IATR Partner & Chairman, Transportation Practice Group Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP Contact: mdaus@windelsmarx.com 156 West 56th Street | New York, NY 10019 T. 212.237.1106 | F. 212.262.1215
In July 2012, the Windels Marx Transportation Practice Group Published A Report Entitled: Rogue Smartphone Applications for Taxicabs and Limousines: Innovation or Unfair Competition? A National Regulatory Review of Safety, Accountability and Consumer Protection Legal Issues. http://www.windelsmarx.com/resources/documents/Rogue%20Applica tions%20Memo%20(updated%208.6.12)%20(10777883).pdf 3
Taxicabs and Limousines. Yes, there is an app for that, but 4
ZabKab - Get a taxi-cab now! HEROLD2go TAXI Taxibeat cab4me taxi finder Yandex.Taxi goCatch The Free Taxi Cab App myTaxi Passenger Taxi App Find Taxi Cabbie - Taxi Cab Booking Taxi Sweet Taxi Mojo - Cab orders with li Cab@SG Israeli Taxi TaxiKO - Colombo Taxi List 13CABS Taxi Speed Taxi Bucharest HK Taxi Meter Cabbie Pro - Taxi Cab Booking Taxis Bleus Taxi meter ComfortDelGro Taxi Booking ubiCabs - Minicab Taxi London MyTeksi: Book a Taxi Swan Taxis AAA taxi - cab order Taxi Caller Taxity - taxi food online SaferTaxi - taxis in 3 clicks Rome Taxi Clever Taxi Taxi HK TAXI FARE CALTOR myTaxi - Driver Taxi App SMRT Book a Taxi Mumbai Auto Taxi Meter Card Z ap Taxi
Smartphone Apps New apps are constantly entering the market Apps are used for electronic hailing Arrange rides or share rides Expedite payments 7
How Does It Work? Download an app Run the app and locate a service Book a Taxi/Limo Payment via text, email or other payment processing devises
Israeli Taxi Swan Taxis SMRT Book a Taxi 13CABS Taxi TaxiKO - Colombo Taxi List goCatch The Free Taxi Cab App Taxibeat HK TAXI FARE CALTOR Taxi Mojo - Cab orders with li Taxi ZabKab - Get a taxi-cab now! Taxis Bleus Taxity - taxi food online Find Taxi Taxi Sweet ubiCabs - Minicab Taxi London cab4me taxi finder SeoulTaxi Hailo - The Taxi App SaferTaxi - taxis in 3 clicks Taxity - taxi food online Taxi Magic Taxi meter Taxi Caller HK Taxi Meter myTaxi - Driver Taxi App Z ap Taxi Mumbai Auto Taxi Meter Card Speed Taxi Bucharest Cabbie Pro - Taxi Cab Booking Cabbie Pro - Taxi Cab Booking Rome Taxi Cab@SG ComfortDelGro Taxi Booking Cabbie - Taxi Cab Booking Yandex.Taxi myTaxi Passenger Taxi App AAA taxi - cab order HEROLD2go TAXI Clever Taxi MyTeksi: Book a Taxi 9
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Prearrangement or Electronic Street Hail? Smartphone apps have introduced electronic hail. An electronic hail is similar to a street hail, but through an individual s smartphone. Some regulators have not addressed this new concept in their regulations yet.
New York City (TLC) has proposed rule changes that includes; Defining E-Hail and amendments to prohibit drivers from charging passengers any additional fee for an E- Hail trip; Establishing restrictions on when and where drivers can use E-Hail applications; Requiring drivers to utilize E-Hail applications licensed and approved by TLC and; Amendments regarding owner payments to drivers for E-Hail trips.
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Taxi & Limousine Distinction What is the distinctions between a taxicab and limousine in post-smartphone app world? Is an on-demand electronic street hail a prearranged service? Most jurisdictions have yet to answer these questions. 12
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Safety Concerns Rogue Apps cut out the dispatch companies and deal directly with drivers. This will make it difficult to ensure all vehicles picking-up passengers are licensed. There is no guarantee if these vehicles are insured and are being driven by properly licensed drivers. 13
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Application Name Confusion The use of the terms taxi or cab adjacent to an app does not mean vehicles and drivers dispatched by the app are licensed or meets the definition of a taxi. This creates consumer confusion and safety concerns. San Francisco - a cease and desist letter to an app for use of the term Taxi in its name. 14
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Illegal Service Refusals Apps could allow the driver to accept or decline potential dispatches. Thus, there is potential for drivers to take advantage of the app to discriminate against consumers; offering service to some, and rejecting others.
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Fair Fares Some apps operate by charging passengers at the end of their trip, therefore the consumer has no assurance as to the final fare, or whether or not it IS fair. Some apps have been criticized for demand or surge pricing at the time of national disaster. For example, Uber app implemented surge pricing in the immediate aftermath of hurricane Sandy in NYC resulting in excessive trip fare. 16
Legal Issues Identified with Rogue Apps Is It a Taximeter? Taxis are usually required to have a taximeter. Only taxicabs charge fares based on distance and time. These taximeters are regulated by the NIST and are calibrated and inspected. Apps might use GPS to calculate the fare based on time, mileage and demand this does not meet taximeter standards.
Danger to Transportation Businesses Collaboration with an unruly or rogue app could lead to loss of: Drivers Reputation with customers Goodwill (Its the app not the company that may matter with passengers in the long run) Total dependency to an app company Diminished service coverage to longstanding corporate clients Loss of brand 18 etc ,
Next Steps? How Can You Protect Your Business? 19
1. 2. 3. 4. Develop your own app (or white label app) Contract with those apps that are legal Carefully review all 3rd party app contracts Be vigilant to protect your business, clients, drivers affiliated with your base, and your business reputation and goodwill. 20
Things are moving fast! 1. Litigation Cambridge, MA Chicago, IL San Francisco, CA New York City 2. IATR App Committee
IATR App Committee The purpose of the App Committee is to develop a model code of regulations to ensure smartphone app technology can exist fairly, safely and with accountability to protect the consumer, while also protecting existing businesses against unfair competition. 22
IATR App Committee Professor Matthew W. Daus, Chair Boston Chicago Los Angeles San Francisco Toronto Austin Denver Washington, D.C. New York City Australia Philadelphia Montreal Seattle San Diego Houston NIST (National Institute for Standards & Technology) NCWM (National Conference of Weight & Measures) 23
IATR App Committee Will produce model regulations for apps standards Working with Taxi, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) App Committee The model regulations will be presented for comment and input at the IATR Conference Regulations & Smartphones There s an App for That (Washington, DC Conference) To be Presented on November 17, 2012 24
What is the Right Regulatory Mix? Amend the law to close loopholes to allow safe & accurate smartphone app use to thrive; Hold existing licensees accountable and/or license companies which produce or operate apps; Ensure technology has accurate measuring devices and meets taximeter standards.
Thank You! Q&A 26
