We have an ordinance that everyone can get on board here in Anchorage to make taxis and dispatch accountable

Recently on Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 Dick Triani released in a public safety committee meeting an ordinance that will provide better quality for taxis and serve the Anchorage Public better.  Ordinance 2013-109 which the author of this blog Mark Kim Marion made a major contribution former Alaska Yellow Cab dispatcher.  This December 3, 2013 this was passed by the Anchorage Assembly.  It defines a taxi cab.  It will require annual survey of whether they need to be more cabs.  This will be conducted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.  Keeps the Anchorage Transportation Commission oversight necessary for the Anchorage taxi industry to succeed.  There will be more cabs each year.  If the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce tourist are up 20 percent then 20 new permits are needed.  if tourism is down or not an increase no new permits will be needed.  Growth will continue.  Eagle River will representation on commission and the handicap will have a representative.  One of the commissioners must live in the Chugiak and Eagle River area.  Read Spokane Title 10 Section 34 most of the ordinance is in the ordinance.  Customers must ride in the back seat.  Drivers can not communicate on a cell phone unless to dispatch or to emergency authorities when a customer is in the car.  All trips except for Anchorage Airport must be dispatched.  Driver can not refuse a trip unless the customer is a problem to the driver.  Dispatch must document all problems drivers and customers have.  Transportation Inspection must be able to dial into dispatch computer to verify every thing the dispatch has been documented.  Dispatch must dispatch closest cab that fits the criteria of the customer.  Cab driver must carry an infant, toddler and baby seats in the car not an option.  Drivers may only refuse a customer if customer gives driver a rotten attitude, refuses to state destination, had previous problem with customer and does not have fare to pay at the start of destination and must refuse politely and if they feel customer is a threat to driver safety.  If a driver refuses a customer.  They must notify dispatch why they refused and the reason.  Dispatch can not electronically put a cab out of service without approval from the Transportation Inspector.  Dispatcher must take first responder training from the Anchorage Police Department.  Cab driver can not refuse a short trip.  If a cab is dispatch from Muldoon for an short Eagle River trip they have to go get the trip or face the consequences from the Anchorage Transportation Inspector.  Phone number unless customer voluntarily gives it out are not allowed to be given to a cab driver.  If a dispatcher gives out a telephone number to a driver a penalty will occur to the Dispatch company and possibly the dispatcher gave it out against Dispatch company policy.  Dispatcher could be fined and dispatch company could take action against employee if they so choose.  Dispatch companies could do like cab companies in Spokane can choose to contract their call takers with an answering service.  Anchorage example is Sicily's Pizza they answer phones for more than just Sicily's Pizza.  They also answer calls for China Garden and other business in town above their Spenard location.  Cab companies can employ just dispatchers.  Cab drivers will be required to speak English and must pass a geography test.  Dispatchers must also pass a geography test and must undergo First Responder training through the Anchorage Police and Fire Department they must be certified by the Municipality of Anchorage before they are allowed to dispatch.  Vehicles must be inspected and repaired by a reputable dealership like Cal Worthington Ford no recessed vehicle aka junk cabs.  Handicap cabs must serve handicap trips first closest cab will be dispatched and must respond with in less than an hour.  A minimum of one handicap cab must be working at all times at each dispatch company.  Anchorage Charr due to the fact cabs are not required to participate in the off the Road program.  You can not make a cab driver participate in a program.  Since 2008 Regina Doyle removed Alaska Yellow Cab from participation because drivers got to greedy with the program.  The publisher of this blog will unless the Amy Demboski to make sure that this ordinance is performed or the Anchorage public will introduce really competition this is last chance at this 39 year dinosaur.