Policy Order O-24

WHEREAS: Disruptive technologies and innovations in the transit sector have given way to new forms of unregulated passenger transit throughout the City of Cambridge and Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS: Massachusetts State Legislature has sought to provide clarity by creating comprehensive law and corresponding state regulations, with potential opportunities for additional municipal regulation; and

WHEREAS: Widely varying proposals for this legislation have been advanced, including H.3702 (Representatives Moran and Forry-available at

WHEREAS: Taxi Cab drivers have approached Cambridge City Council with concerns about the vitality of their industry, the protection of their livelihoods, and the enforcement of their rights; and

WHEREAS: Taxi Cab drivers consider themselves long-term investors into the infrastructure and vitality of Cambridge, with large sunk costs committed towards the public good of the city, and with transit as their primary, full-time vocation; and

WHEREAS: All three bills attempt to create parity between the Taxi industry and Transit Network Companies (TNC's) by regulating the latter, with Taxi Cab drivers wishing to emphasize their support of H.3702 in particular; and

WHEREAS: Any successful bill or compromise legislation must achieve parity between Taxi industry regulations and TNC regulations in order to achieve both fairness and safety for all, including: background checks for TNC operators similar to the Taxi industry, insurance solutions for TNC operator vehicles or operator trips similar to the coverage mandated for the Taxi industry, ADA-equipped TNC vehicles at a reasonable level, regular inspections, fair licensing or similar permitting of TNC operators through the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, and clear markings for TNC vehicles; and

WHEREAS: Municipal and State regulations must assure TNC pricing transparency if there is to be some measure of pricing parity between Taxi trips and TNC operator trips; and

WHEREAS: The Boston Taxi Drivers Association seeks a return to dignity and respect for taxi drivers within the industry, through employee status for taxicab drivers-and an end to the "pay to work" model dominating the industry today; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record urging the Massachusetts House and Baker administration to move swiftly in clarifying new law and associated regulation, taking into account the needs of municipalities in flux, and ultimately act with the intention of achieving parity and safety amongst transit operators of all kinds; and further be it

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Cambridge's State Delegation.