Municipality of Anchorage Anchorage Transportation Commission MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 23, 2018

Transcription

1 Municipality of Anchorage Anchorage Transportation Commission MEETING MINUTES Monday, July, Called to order at :0 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were Ms. Lucy Odden, Mr. Kevin McGee, Mr. Erich Reed, Mr. Carl Berger and Mr. Eugene Harnett. Transportation Inspector Eric Musser was present as Secretary to the Commission. Approval of Minutes. Moved by Mr. Harnett and Seconded by Ms. Odden to approve minutes of June, 0. During discussion, Mr. Berger was noted as absent, Mr. Harnett s name was corrected as Eugene and a spelling correction on page, line 0 was corrected, changing from iormation to information. Approved unanimously as amended. PERMIT ACTIONS. Permit 00 Sale of Permit From: Michael Tag Ro To: Yong Kim Moved by Mr. Harnett, seconded by Ms. Odden Approved unanimously.. Permit 0 Sale of Permit From: Aurelio Barboza To: Blerim Zulali Moved by Mr. Harnett, seconded by Mr. Berger Approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS. Alaska Yellow Dispatch Presentation of Impacts to Dispatch Service previous months. Kim Pavy, Dispatch Manager for Alaska Yellow Dispatch provided copies of Exhibit (call log and dispatch report comparison for -/-0 and //- 0) and Exhibit (call log and dispatch report comparison for //0-0 and -/0-0). Ms. Pavy stated that while it was minimal, her office had just received dispatch information for 0 today (//) and she requested additional time to review, analyze and return to the ATC next month for a more detailed presentation. She testified that the brief information presented showed a decline in both trips and calls after Uber/Lyft began operations and that the more permits that were issued would result in less drivers available for the existing permits. Commissioner Harnett asked if they had seen Uber/Lyft drivers late at night? Ms. Pavy replied that she had heard there were 00 to 00 Uber/Lyft drivers out there. Commissioner Odden asked how many cabs were available for people with Minutes

2 Minutes of July, 0 ATC Meeting Page of disabilities as she had heard Uber/Lyft do not provide any transportation to people with disabilities. Ms. Pavy responded that Alaska Yellow Dispatch had disability equipped taxicabs and she believed the other dispatch company had. Commissioner Berger questioned whether someone was keeping track of the number of Uber/Lyft operators or where a previously stated number came from. Ms. Pavy responded that by saying not that she was aware. that it is all speculative but based upon what is being heard. She stated that when Uber/Lyft were approved to come in they went to the state and all regulatory control was taken away from the municipality. There is no control of Uber and Lyft. Why do they have top lights? Aren t top lights indicative of taxis? Commissioner Harnett asked if there was a group of taxi drivers using Uber/Lyft now? Ms. Pavy replied that when they first came to town even she drove for them for a bit. In the beginning it was great. You used your own car and then when you took all the expenses out and the percent of every fare of what was considered an XL car and percent of every other, then there wasn t much. Chair McGee asked Ms. Pavy whom confirmed the data they provide. She replied that Mr. Musser does. Chair McGee then stated that based on the trip summary from June st thru th, there was an increase of,. Between 0 and 0 there was a decrease of,. Ms. Pavy responded that there was a lot more details and more would be provided at the next meeting. There was brief ongoing discussion regarding the limited scope of the information provided and the concern that the TNC s were able to do whatever they want, wherever they want. Commissioner Odden remarked she had read a few weeks previously of an assault on a cab driver. Chair McGee stated that at the June th meeting, it was brought to the commission s attention by the cab drivers that the elimination of training, drug testing for pre-licenses was wrong. Do you think it should apply? Ms. Pavy stated that Uber/Lyft should be subject to the same training and testing as cab drivers were and they should not have been eliminated. She stated that Yellow Cab was working on a new training program for their drivers. She stated Uber/Lyft are unregulated, unchecked cabs operating on our streets. Commissioner Odden asked if drivers go through disability awareness training? Ms. Pavy stated yes. Commissioner Reid asked if Ms. Pavy was advocating for more regulation of Uber/Lyft drivers or less for cab drivers. Ms. Pavy replied that Uber/Lyft should have a permit to operate and if it was required they wouldn t be on the road. Mr. Reid stated the assembly passed an ordinance that attempted to

3 Minutes of July, 0 ATC Meeting Page of deregulated. Was it something the cab industry advocated for or opposed as driver s testified that the only one that would benefit from more cabs on the road was the dispatch company. Did she agree? Ms. Pavy stated that if they were regulated there wouldn t be as many of them on the road. Commissioner Berger asked what kind of questions were raised or asked when the ordinance was being debated by the Assembly, and if so what kind of explanation did the assembly give for that type of regulation that would allow them to operate? Ms. Pavy replied she was not involved at that time and couldn t provide an answer. Secretary Musser asked if the Commission could expect a better presentation and possible to have a broader review completed by August 0 th and submitted to the TI office so it could be put up on the board. He stated the major emphasis would be to look at a comparative review of the month period before Uber/Lyft began operations and months after. Commissioner Reid remarked the more and better the information the better to be able to analyze.. Checker Cab Dispatch Presentation of Impacts to Dispatch Serviced previous months. Mike Thompson, owner of Checker Cab Dispatch spoke and stated he wasn t aware of the request and that the TI was given the data every month and that he had all the information. He remarked that it wasn t the dispatch company that was hurting, it was the owners and operators and drivers. He stated that at one time he was operating cars but was no longer doing so. He stated that drivers that used to lease a cab for just shift are now leasing the car for the whole day and only driving during the prime hours. Issuing more permits and having more cabs doesn t solve that problem. He continued by saying the city could do a lot because the Uber/Lyft drivers are taking cash and if they do it voids their insurance and it is then illegal. Chair McGee stated that at the June meeting the public was asked to submit questions to the Commission so they could review them and get them answered and better understand specific issues. He remarked that thus far, not a single question had been submitted and that the only written information received just more form letters saying the same thing and that not a single driver submitted a question or remark stating a specific concern so it could be looked at. Mr. Thompson replied that the industry has been at this Uber/Lyft battle now for years with no results and that nobody appears to care or listen. He stated they are tired and just fed up. There was continued discussion regarding Lyft/Uber having either no or

4 Minutes of July, 0 ATC Meeting Page of insufficient insurance and the need to not issue any additional permits. Presentations were closed. OLD BUSINESS. Title Code of Regulations AMCR.0.0 Revisions to conform to new ordinance. Mr. Musser informed the members that the item before them to approve, is to approve the conforming part of the regulations as required by the assembly when they passed AO0-(S). He then read the sections applicable. He stated how it looked was a form of art that is done by legal. He read the three components. Commissioner Harnett asked whether this item had passed the assembly yet or not. Mr. Musser replied that the ordinance was passed in April and the commission was given 0 days to amend or adopt regulations that conform to the changes made by ordinance. Commissioner Berger asked what assurance the commission had that if they passed the ordinance draft and forwarded it to the assembly, would it be passed? He wanted assurances. Mr. Musser replied that the way it is prepared is a form of municipal procedure and that if the commission approved the change, the assembly has 0 days after that for the assembly to disprove it or it becomes effective. So should the commission approve the regulations, it would get loaded up in what is called a PACE system and it ll go through an internal review process, kind of an automatic process by the municipality, and then the assembly would have 0 days to address it. Mr. Musser stated that the issues appear confusing at the moment because in the ordinance the assembly passed, the commission was give three separate tasks to perform. One was 0 days to look at the regulations. The second was then 0 days to look at and report on the potential of dynamic pricing. The third was then the annual market conciliation review to receive public testimony and evidence and then make recommendations back to the assembly. By amendment the assembly extended the last deadline to September. However, the goal is to complete in September. Thus we are endeavoring to keep the three issues separate. Testimony from the industry was that the wanted drug testing, they wanted training. Mr. Musser remarked the commission would then address that in the rd task. Motion was made by Mr. Reid and seconded by Mr. Harnett to approve the regulations as presented. Messrs. Reid, Harnett, Odden, McGee Yes. Commissioner Berger No. Approved.. Hearings and report and/or amendment to AMCR.0.00 regarding

5 Minutes of July, 0 ATC Meeting Page of feasibility and effects of dynamic pricing. Mr. Musser explained to the members that the second item the commission was requested to review and report on was the feasibility and mechanisms possible that would enable the taxi operators to implement dynamic pricing during periods of high demand. He stated that after two months of hearings and communications with the dispatch companies, there was no support for dynamic pricing. He remarked that as a result, it was recommended the commission take no action on that item and communicate to the assembly same. Commissioner Berger asked for more explanation on what was being voted on. Commissioner Reid stated for the public and members that the memorandum was a reflection of the previous meetings at which the public had shown up and stated they did not support dynamic pricing. Motion made by Mr. Harnett, seconded by Ms. Odden to approve letter and forward. Approved unanimously. Commission took a minute recess.. Annual market conciliation review per Section.0.00 A & B. Secretary Musser advised this item would remain open pending further presentations and comment. He remark it was still an ongoing development with the hope that the dispatch companies would be more forthcoming. He also stated staff would be ready to present at the next meeting. This item was carried to the next meeting. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair McGee remarked that as he had stated earlier, he understood the passion on the issue, from drivers, dispatch and remarked that if there were specific concerns folks would like to be addressed to submit the questions or testify to an item or issue and the commission would address it. He remarked that it should be more than a form letter. Commissioner Reid stated he was appreciated of everyone coming out and stated he would be leaving the commission as he has accepted an appointment to the Public Safety Advisory Commission. He stated that technology is taking over and bringing about change to many industries. Commissioner Odden thanked Mr. Reid for his service on the Commission.

6 Minutes of July, 0 ATC Meeting Page of PUBLIC COMMENTS. Rifiqat Chaudhry Owner of Permit stated that Title was no longer needed, that no taxicab regulations were needed anymore.. Mike Thompson, Owner of Checker Cab Dispatch stated that there used to be or cab spots at the Train Depot but they ve been removed. He asked if we could check the issue out and see if something can be done.. Pierre Bernard stated that there were two taxi stands on th Avenue that were no longer used or needed and should be removed. He stated that more were needed in other parts of downtown.. stated that with the new hotels there were now too many courtesy shuttles and they needed to be shut down.. Bob Ranson, permit owner and operators, stated fuel prices are back up, the fuel surcharge passed didn t start until it got to $.00. He stated that there were too many cabs now at Wal Mart and other venues. Something needed to be done. Moved by Commissioner Berger and seconded by Commissioner Odden to adjourn. Adjourned at :00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Eric L. Musser Secretary