Department of Business and Industry

NEVADA TAXICAB AUTHORITY

SERVING THE RESIDENTS, VISITORS, AND THE HOSPITALITY AND TAXI INDUSTRIES

IN CLARK COUNTY AND LAS VEGAS SINCE 1969

Tom Ely - DPS Captain

Interim Division Administrator

February 2015

The Taxicab Authority operates under authority of NRS 706.881 –

706.885. We also operate under NAC 706.876 to 706.990, and are

included under the Nevada Transportation Authority rules as used in

NAC 706.991 to 706.9918, inclusive.

The Authority is a self-funded agency, accomplished through taxicab

industry fees in accordance with NRS 706.8825 -706.8826

Fees collected defray the cost of regulating taxicabs and permitting

drivers, and are deposited into a Taxicab Authority Fund

Estimated revenues for FY 2016 exceed $6.5 million

The Taxicab Authority operates two Divisions:

ADMINISTRATION

• Administrator’s Office

•Licensing & Permitting

•Administrative Court

COMPLIANCE/ENFORCEMENT

•Dispatch

•Vehicle Inspection

•Compliance/Enforcement Investigators

The Taxicab Authority is responsible for regulation of

the taxicab industry in counties whose population is

700,000 or more.

Administrator’s Office Executive agency management; accounting; financial reporting

& audits; payroll, personnel, procurement, public/media relations

Licensing & Permitting Applications for taxi driver permits

Criminal history background checks

Driver testing and safety training

Administrative Court Administrative hearings on alleged violations by taxicab drivers

and companies

Clark County Taxi Medallions* in service 2730

*(a small, unique identifying license plate installed on the side of each taxi.

Only vehicles with a medallion may operate as a taxicab.)

2014 Medallion revenues - $228,100

Clark County Taxi trips 27.5 million

2014 Permitted Taxi Driver Information –

Taxi Driver’s with valid annual permits 10,038

New Taxi Driver Applications processed 1,929

Taxi Driver Permits Revoked 10

FY 2014 Driver Permit revenues – $183,934

Taxicab Authority Compliance Enforcement Division

Vehicle Inspection Inspect and monitor taxicabs to ensure they are safe to operate

and meet all statutory and regulatory standards

Public Safety Dispatch 24/7 Dispatch center and services for the Compliance-

Enforcement Investigators and Vehicle Inspectors

Receives emergency calls, requests for service and complaints

Compliance/Enforcement Sworn peace officers monitor compliance and enforce taxi

related violations. Investigations are initiated during proactive

patrol and inspection activities, or through various complaints,

audits and contacts from other enforcement agencies

Authorized Compliance/Enforcement Investigator positions 29

Open Compliance/Enforcement Investigator positions (12-31-14) 3

Additional Compliance/Enforcement Investigators requested 6

Vehicle Inspector positions 9

2014 Citations written 3,419

Total number of violations written (all citations) 4,238

Long Route Citations issued 994

FY 2014 Citation Revenue $219,449

FY 2015 Citation Revenue (July 1, 2014 to Dec 31, 2014) $136,747

Taxicab Authority Vehicle Inspectors and Compliance

Enforcement Investigators completed the following

additional activities during 2014:

Taxi Vehicle Damage Reports 15,490

Taxicab Vehicle Inspections 7,983

Taxicab Accidents 6,268

Meter seals 1,862

Out of Services notices 5,464

24HR notices 3,200

Total new/replacement cabs put into service 575

Nevada Taxicab Authority Revenue Source %

Fiscal Year 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Trip Charge 87.02% 84.20% 85.73% 84.85% 83.10% 81.20%

Permits 2.95% 2.55% 3.10% 2.62% 2.94% 3.20%

Misc. Revenue 1.51% 0.15% 0.09% 0.11% 0.29% 1.53%

Medallions 3.66% 4.61% 4.55% 4.29% 4.58% 4.85%

Fines 3.52% 5.86% 3.89% 5.43% 6.56% 6.31%

Clark County 1.28% 2.61% 2.64% 2.70% 2.53% 2.91%

Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Taxicab Authority Accomplishments Taxi Assistance Program (formerly Senior Ride)

The Taxi Assistance Program (TAP) began in 1980 under the Nevada Taxicab

Authority, as the Subsidized Transportation Taxicab Program. In 1995, the

program was transferred from the Authority to the Division of Aging and

Disability Services. Also known as Senior Ride, the program name changed to

Taxi Assistance Program in 2012.

In 2014, TAP further refined eligibility to improve service access for clients in

the lowest income ranges. Effective January 1, 2015, all TAP participants

are eligible to purchase SIX (6) of the $20 value coupon books per month.

Participants at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may

purchase a booklet of $20 in taxi vouchers for $5. Clients above 200% of the

FPL will pay $10 for a booklet of $20 in taxi vouchers.

The program receives annual support from the Taxicab Authority. In FY 2016 it

is projected that the TA will provide $479,978 to the Taxi Assistance Program.

Taxicab Authority Bill Draft Requests

BDR 15A7501255 Taxicab Authority Administrative Attorney

Presently, the Taxicab Authority has a part time Hearing Officer, working one day per

week. As a result, all hearings must be scheduled on that one day. This can make

the daily workload for hearings long, and inconvenient. In 2014 there were 559

Failure to Appears, 876 violations pled before the Hearing Officer on the day of

court, and 334 trials held by our one Hearing Officer. Impounds of vehicles, such as

in gypsy cab investigations, require that a hearing be conducted within 24 hours.

Because our Hearing Officer works only one day per week, in the majority of

impound cases the Taxicab Authority presently must use the full time Hearing

Officers employed at the Nevada Transportation Authority.

A full time Administrative Attorney and Hearing Officer will enable the Taxicab

Authority to spread out the workload each week, and to conduct all impound

hearings in-house. There are sufficient workload and revenue justifications for this

position. A full time Hearing Officer will allow the Taxicab Authority to better serve the

taxi drivers, taxi companies and the needs of the TA.

Taxicab Authority Public/Media Relations

Taxicab Authority Investigators participated with

Clark County School District Police in the

Christmas 2014 “Shop with a Cop” Las Vegas

Taxicab Authority participated in

Operation HEAT with Clark

County Fire and the LVMPD.

We also participate in National

Night Out and other community

awareness events Taxicab Authority personnel are present and fully

engaged during conventions, rodeos and all major

events throughout Clark County and Las Vegas

Taxicab Authority Budget Requests

The Taxicab Authority has requested 6 additional Compliance Enforcement

Investigator positions in order to provide an increased focus and better meet

the demands of Long Route enforcement to and from McCarran Airport.

Taxicab Authority Budget Summary

2014-2015

Work Program

2014-2015

Governor

Recommended

2015-2016

Governor

Recommends

2016-2017

Governor

Recommends

Balance

Forward

$4,287,860 $4,166,833 $4,277,513 $4,216,714

Revenues $6,648,830 $6,771,910 $6,554,442 $4,303,181

Total $10,936,690 $10,860,915 $10,831,955 $8,519,895

A five member Board appointed by the Governor

Tasked with adopting regulations for the efficient

administration of the taxicab industry

Conducts regular hearings on matters involving:

Applications to operate a taxicab company

The number of taxicabs that may operate

Rates, charges and fares

Driver appeals

Taxicab Authority Challenges & Opportunities

Equipment, Technology and SB 430

SB430 was passed in the 2013 Legislative Session and authored changes

in NRS 706.88183; NRS 706.88184; NRS 706.8825 sub 4, 6, and 9; along

with other requirements related to the implementation of a computerized

real-time data system, including the possibility of GPS tracking of

taxicabs. The use of a real-time system cannot be implemented until all

Taxicab Authority records are fully integrated and automated in a new

computer system. The Authority’s request for this new system is included in

the Governor’s Budget recommendations.

Staffing

The City of Henderson, LVMPD, North Las Vegas and other State and local

agencies recruit and hire from the ranks of our experienced and talented

employees. The Taxicab Authority will continue to recruit and fill vacancies

as they occur.

Taxicab Authority Challenges & Opportunities

Taxicab Authority Challenges & Opportunities Technology-Based Transportation Companies

In late 2014 the Taxicab Authority addressed a challenge in the form of

unregulated for-hire transportation services. The Nevada 2nd Judicial District

Court ultimately determined Uber was more than just a technology company.

The cutting-edge technology which connects persons wanting rides with

vehicles ready to offer rides is exceptional. Application of this type of

technology will greatly improve ride accessibility and help achieve “best

practices” for the taxi industry.

We welcome new businesses, ideas and technologies to Nevada. At the

same time the Taxi Industry is well regulated for a reason. We believe full

background checks on cab drivers; commercial insurance; vehicle safety;

and consistent, fair and stable fares and rates are essential requirements for

all for-hire services. We look forward to working with those interested in

entering the taxi industry. Their business development and success brings

many positive benefits to the residents and visitors in the Silver State.

NEVADA TAXICAB AUTHORITY

2090 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 200

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

Phone: (702) 668-4000

Fax: (702) 668-4001

Email:taxiauth@taxi.state.nv.us

Administrator’s Office:

Tom.Ely@taxi.state.nv.us

(702) 668-4015

Please contact us to schedule a ride-along or a tour of

our office. We look forward to an opportunity to introduce

you to our dedicated and professional staff, and to show

you what we do.

YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE GREAT THINGS!