Title
Respectfully requesting that the Pennsylvania Legislature authorize an additional 300 taxi medallions to provide modern, green, wheelchair accessible taxi cabs with bike racks to meet the existing needs of Philadelphia's underserved ridership and using the proceeds to reduce the wage tax.
Body
WHEREAS, Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy and the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities held a joint hearing on February 25, 2014 to "investigate the current status of taxi cabs in the City and the impact of modernizing and increasing the number of taxi cabs as it relates to the continued efforts of making Philadelphia a globally competitive, world class destination City"; and
WHEREAS, There are currently a total of 1,599 taxi cabs operating legally within the City; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has far less cabs operating within the City in comparison to other major US cities. The ratio of residents per taxi cab is the following: Philadelphia, 967 residents per taxi cab; New York City (Manhattan only), 138 residents per taxi cab; Boston, 349 residents per taxi cab; and Chicago, 387 residents per taxi cab; furthermore, there are currently only 7 wheelchair accessible taxi cabs in the City, with 128,856 residents living with an ambulatory disability making the ratio of 1 accessible taxi cab for every 18,408 residents with an ambulatory disability; and
WHEREAS, Cities are the economic engines of the global economy and improved taxi cab services will better position Philadelphia to capitalize on attracting tourism and other business opportunities; for example, New York City and Chicago already have thousands of alternative fuel cabs while Philadelphia currently has none; and
WHEREAS, Additional medallions are needed to meet the needs of Philadelphia's riders through more modern, green, and wheelchair accessible taxi cabs with bike racks; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has made a positive ste...
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