tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275428753478014882024-02-20T16:00:56.228-08:00The MHA BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-4657880492786411982018-10-08T10:00:00.000-07:002018-10-08T10:22:06.881-07:00Fw: New Scam Puts Unchecked Rideshare Drivers Behind the Wheel - NBC Bay Area<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> </DIV></DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> Linked below is a three-minute investigative report from the Sacramento NBC TV affiliate detailing how unscreened drivers with uninspected vehicles --- who may be convicted felons and are not legally associated with Lyft and Uber as driver-partners --- nonetheless end up conveying TNC customers for profit by renting existing TNC accounts from illegal brokers. </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma"> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5"> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma"> <DIV></DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'><A href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/New-Scam-Puts-Unchecked-Rideshare-Drivers-Behind-the-Wheel--493520901.html">https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/New-Scam-Puts-Unchecked-Rideshare-Drivers-Behind-the-Wheel--493520901.html</A></DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-85206428080476200552016-02-21T09:33:00.001-08:002016-02-21T09:34:00.099-08:00Municipal Transportation Agency Board meting on February 2, 2016There were no taxi items on the sfmta board agenda for February 2, 2016.
<br> Under public comment, Carl Macmurdo spoke at 32:15 regarding the perceived
<br> need for a Transportation Code amendment to protect the heirs of pre-K or
<br> Prop. K medallion holders who have been on the "surrender list" for a
<br> lengthy time, but who pass away prior to their names reaching the top of
<br>the
<br> list.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=24588#.VrFfh56HINE.mailto">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=24588#.VrFfh56HINE.mailto</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-3891234218343664952015-12-13T09:27:00.000-08:002015-12-13T09:28:17.868-08:00Fw: Admin Monitor - California - California Public Utilities Commission meeting on December 3, 2015Dec. 3, 2015 CPUC meeting video
<br>
<br> The December 3, 2015, California Public Utilities Commission meeting
<br>video is linked below. There are seven
<br> speakers under public comment (05:00 - 26:35).
<br> Robert Cesana speaks first, followed by a second person, and then three
<br> Lyft drivers. Carl Macmurdo addresses the commissioners at 20:24. The
<br> final speaker is a bicyclist who felt compelled to talk about the lack of
<br> professionalism exhibited by Transportation Network Company drivers.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/voting_meeting/20151203/">http://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/voting_meeting/20151203/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-59612848314110725322015-08-08T19:31:00.001-07:002015-08-08T19:31:29.892-07:00MHA leads the way to amend the Transportation Code
<br>
<br>
<br> Recently, MHA led the successful effort to lower the re-transfer fee
<br> from the previous 20% amount down to 5%. This new provision applies only to
<br> medallions purchased since transferability was resumed in 2010 under a
<br>pilot
<br> program, which later became a permanent policy. The re-transfer fee --- the
<br> fee charged when the purchaser eventually re-sells the medallion --- has
<br> been reduced from $50,000 down to $12,500.
<br> A copy of the legislation, which became effective on January 2, 2015, is
<br> linked here:
<br>
<br> <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/pdffiles/sanfran/MTA%20Res.%2014-171.pdf">http://www.amlegal.com/pdffiles/sanfran/MTA%20Res.%2014-171.pdf</a>
<br>
<br> MHA lobbied new SFMTA taxi director, Kate Toran, to make this change. Kate
<br> had her staff verify our advisement that all other cities with transferable
<br> medallions charge about 5%. The San Francisco Federal Credit Union, which
<br> lends to medallion purchasers, joined in with their full support as the
<br> amendment was being considered by the sfmta board of directors.
<br>
<br> MHA board member Carl Macmurdo notes that,
<br>
<br> "This change makes the option of purchasing a medallion a lot more
<br> viable for a younger driver who wants to have a taxi driving career."
<br>
<br> Fellow MHA board member Athan Rebelos, who purchased his medallion about
<br> three years ago, noted that,
<br>
<br> "I hope that people who have bought their medallions the past few years
<br> under Proposition A provisions will realize the importance of belonging to
<br> an organization such as MHA, whose goal is to support and protect all
<br> medallion holders."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-46831873716365704852015-05-12T16:31:00.001-07:002015-05-12T16:31:58.262-07:00Fw: CPUC speechCARL MACMURDO'S SPEECH TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ON MAY
<br>7, 2015
<br>
<br> On the TNC (Transportation Network Company) issue, many taxi advocates
<br> focus upon the "level playing field" argument. For example, Uber X and Lyft
<br> drivers provide commercial transportation for-hire under a regular auto
<br> insurance policy. They defraud their insurance providers by lying about how
<br> the vehicle is being used. Licensed taxi drivers follow the law and pay a
<br> higher commercial rate. This fraud results in an unfair business practice
<br> allowing TNCs to undercut the rates charged for rides to the public by
<br> taxis.
<br> My concern is a separate topic; namely, the dynamic of supply and demand.
<br> Over time, many cities have experimented with deregulating taxi supply by
<br> allowing open entry. Typically, the result has been a hostile and unsafe
<br> work environment, replete with high accident rates and poor public service.
<br> Taxi drivers and owners cannot make an adequate living under a system with
<br>a
<br> gross over-supply of vehicles. Historically, these cities have quickly
<br> returned to a business model which controls the number of authorized taxis.
<br> San Francisco's system is typical. Regulators hold periodic Public
<br> Convenience and Necessity (PC&N) hearings to ascertain whether additional
<br> taxi medallions are needed. It is a balancing act, weighing the public's
<br> need for adequate service against the essentiality that taxi drivers and
<br> owners will earn a reasonable profit. Presently, San Francisco has
<br> approximately 2,100 taxi medallions.
<br> CPUC allows for unlimited vehicles in transportation categories under its
<br> jurisdiction. Your September 2013 decision to establish a new TNC category
<br>under your
<br> jurisdiction has resulted in de facto deregulation of supply. The economic
<br>consequences
<br> to taxi interests are not merely disruptive, but destructive as well.
<br> President Picker recently acknowledged that cpuc lacks the resources to
<br> enforce your own TNC rules and has mused about assigning jurisdiction to a
<br> different state agency. But when, and to whom? A different state agency
<br>such
<br> as CHP, e.g., would also be an interloper without adequate tools to enforce
<br> regulations and otherwise micromanage a city's taxi industry. Plus, this
<br> approach fails to address the economic and safety consequences of excess
<br> supply.
<br> If cities --- rather than the cpuc --- have TNC jurisdiction, we can
<br> create innovative solutions to ensure public safety, economic prosperity,
<br> and efficient on-demand transportation options. One flaw in the
<br> aforementioned PC&N process is the lack of flexibility to add extra
<br>vehicles
<br>during periods of peak demand. A city such as San Francisco can craft a
<br> hybrid model --- regulation-light in many policy aspects --- allowing for a
<br> combination of TNCs and authorized limousines (TCPs = Transportation
<br>Charter
<br> Party vehicles) to augment on-demand transportation needs subject to
<br> specified rules and limitations.
<br> Inefficient taxi dispatch methods created the niche whereby TNCs
<br> developed efficient apps to ensure rapid response to customer service
<br> requests. With reference to playwright Samuel Beckett, telephone requests
<br> for taxi service historically put the customer in a "Waiting for Godot"
<br> mode --- wondering if a taxi actually would arrive. For app users, those
<br> times are gone. In both San Francisco and Los Angeles, taxi regulators
<br>require an app in every authorized taxi. Flywheel is the predominant taxi
<br> app here in San Francisco.
<br> In the ruling by Administrative Law Judge, Robert Mason --- adopted by
<br>Michael Peevy in
<br> 2013 --- there is a glaring factual mistake, the consequence of which is to
<br> afford TNC jurisdiction to the cpuc, rather than to cities. Judge Mason
<br> incorrectly ruled that the nature of an e-hail is pre-arrangement, rather
<br> than on-demand. Even the TNC websites acknowledge and advertise that their
<br> services are strictly on-demand.
<br> In analyzing his jurisdictional determination, Judge Mason noted that
<br> customers have to file an application in advance to be in the TNC system
<br>and
<br> also need to tap an app to summon a vehicle. Yet, the clear TNC model
<br> dynamic is to provide very rapid, nearly instantaneous service to app
<br> requests. We are fortunate street hails are not similarly defined as
<br> pre-arrangements, given that customers make a conscious, advance decision
<br>to
<br> carry means of payment and must signal for a vehicle as well. When the taxi
<br> industry attorneys appealed the jurisdictional argument last year, both the
<br> California Appellate and Supreme Courts exercised judicial indifference by
<br> refusing to hear the appeal. As such, TPAC (Taxicab Paratransit Association
<br> of California) never had its proverbial day in court.
<br> Hopefully, there will be no need for further litigation requesting a jury
<br> to hear the jurisdiction argument. Just as all major professional sports
<br>now
<br> have instant replay as a tool to overturn egregiously incorrect rulings by
<br>arbiters,
<br>president Picker should request a review of the incorrect ruling
<br> that e-hails are not of an on-demand nature. TNC jurisdiction belongs with
<br> individual cities, whose regulators can establish and enforce optimal
<br> policies.
<br> Thank you.
<br>
<br> Carl Macmurdo
<br> taxi driverUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-5047913844296489872015-04-27T22:23:00.000-07:002015-04-27T22:24:43.303-07:00Nuance Communications, Inc. - The Disruptive Transportation Technology Movement (10990519).pdfIn July 2014, Matt Daus, president of the International Association of
<br>Transportation Regulators, issued the document linked below describing the
<br>various lawsuits which taxi interests have filed against Transportation
<br>Network Companies such as Uber X, Lyft, and Sidecar.
<br>
<br><a href="http://www.windelsmarx.com/resources/documents/The%20Disruptive%20Transportation%20Technology%20Movement%20(10990519).pdf">http://www.windelsmarx.com/resources/documents/The%20Disruptive%20Transportation%20Technology%20Movement%20(10990519).pdf</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-26353736134822685752014-03-18T22:16:00.000-07:002014-03-18T22:37:06.518-07:00The Fight For Fares In San FranciscoBelow is an outstanding letter which MHA Board member Marcelo Fonseca sent last night to various recipients including CBS News' "60 Minutes." It’s preceded by links to some relevant documents.<br />
<br />
<a href=" https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByImNzC8AuPxUkZtek5OdFJHVDQ/edit?usp=sharing"><br />
Application of TPAC for ReHearing of D.13-09-045.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByImNzC8AuPxbFBvU1Fud0pCZE0/edit?usp=sharing">R.12-12-011 - Uber Application for Rehearing of Decision 13-09-045.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByImNzC8AuPxejltS0E3djFCUms/edit?usp=sharing">Uber article by Molly Cohen.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<br />
From: Marcelo Fonseca, Monday, March 17, 2014<br />
Subject: The Fight For Fares In San Francisco!!<br />
<br />
Executive Director Kevin Tedesco<br />
CBS News - 60 Minutes<br />
New York - NY<br />
212-975-3247<br />
<br />
CC/<br />
Board of Supervisors<br />
City Attorney's Office<br />
SFPD Commission<br />
Mayor Edwin Lee<br />
SFMTA Board<br />
<br />
CC/<br />
Governor Jerry Brown<br />
Senator Jerry Hill<br />
Senator Leland Yee<br />
Senator Mark Leno<br />
Senator Mark DeSaulnier<br />
Assembly Member Philip Ting<br />
Assembly Member Paul Fong<br />
Assembly Member Kevin Mullin<br />
Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal<br />
Speaker Pro Tempore Nora Campos<br />
<br />
CC/<br />
CPUC Public Advisor<br />
President Michael Peevey<br />
ALJ Robert Mason III<br />
<br />
It has been more than three months since I wrote you the letter below <br />
urging you to look into how our municipal and state governments have handled the<br />
influx of Uber, Lyft, SideCar and the impact they have had on the taxi<br />
industry. Since a lot has happened involving these services, here and <br />
acrossthe country, I am writing to you again, not only as a career taxi driver <br />
but<br />
as a concerned citizen.<br />
<br />
On New Year's Eve, UberX driver Syed Muzzaffar struck and killed<br />
six-year-old Sofia Liu, also injuring her mother and five-year-old brother<br />
in a crosswalk in San Francisco.<br />
http://assets.newsinc.com/players/mobile/16x9/20130122/player_v5.html?CID=994&WID=11185&VID=25491167&freewheel=45981&sitesection=sfgateblog_nws_non_sec&external_url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/<br />
(http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=9408512)<br />
Maybe such a tragedy could have been avoided. Even though it was ten years<br />
ago, Mr. Muzzaffar had a previous conviction for reckless driving in<br />
Florida. It is hard to say if Mr. Muzzaffar would pass the screening to <br />
get a license to drive a taxi in San Francisco but it is reasonable to wonder <br />
if Uber ever bothered to check his DMV records.<br />
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/UberX-Driver-Involved-in-New-YEars-Eve-Manslaughter-Had-A-Record-of-Reckless-Driving-240344931.html<br />
<br />
Playing judge, jury and executioner of the taxi industry throughout a<br />
rule-making process on Uber, Lyft and SideCar now referred to as<br />
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), the California Public Utilities<br />
Commission (CPUC), once referred to by a legislator as a "FIEFDOM",<br />
http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_23207301/legislators-take-steps-rein-California-public-utilities-commission?source=email<br />
<br />
contradicting its mandate to protect the public, ignored warnings about<br />
faulty insurance and blessed TNCs to continue operations with minimal<br />
oversight, unfairly competing with legitimate taxis.<br />
<br />
Labor on wheels was made available to anyone with a car to operate as an<br />
on-demand taxi. Thousands and thousands of private, unmarked,<br />
personally-insured vehicles were dumped on our already-congested streets <br />
to ferry people around for profit. None of these vehicles performing taxi<br />
services in the City and County of San Francisco are under the <br />
jurisdiction<br />
of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).<br />
<br />
An open entry to an unlimited number of TNCs turned the streets of San<br />
Francisco into a very dangerous, free-for-all environment. A frenzied race<br />
for fares intensified to a ridiculous level. No speed limit, no insurance,<br />
no rules, no regulations, no SFPD, no problem. Come on down!!!<br />
<br />
A lot of our hotels, on a daily basis, turn down taxis to push their <br />
guests into town cars just sitting in the taxi zones, clearly not operating on a<br />
prearranged basis. It is safe to say that rides are being negotiated <br />
between corrupt doormen and limo drivers and the CPUC's Safety and Enforcement<br />
Division (SED) is nowhere to be found.<br />
<br />
Some TNCs will claim to be peers of the community. In fact, some of their<br />
easy-to-spot vehicles, sometimes with as many as three smart phones on <br />
their dashboards, come from as far away as New Jersey. I and many of my fellow <br />
cab drivers have lived in San Francisco from 30-40 years and have been driving<br />
taxis for a lot longer than many TNCs' drivers have been living. What are <br />
we in this community???<br />
<br />
With insurance gaps yet to be solved here and elsewhere,<br />
(http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/7_on_your_side&id=9448301)<br />
the City of Chicago, after being sued by taxi organizations for aiding <br />
TNCs, has issued subpoenas to UberX, Lyft and SideCar demanding proof of<br />
insurance.<br />
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-03-14/news/chi-city-council-subpoenas-insurance-records-from-rideshare-firms-20140313_1_ride-share-lyft-and-sidecar-taxi-drivers<br />
<br />
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray stated that Uber has to start accepting a certain<br />
level of regulation and have to be insured at a level commensurate with <br />
taxi operators.<br />
(http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-26/seattle-mayor-warns-of-uber-shutdown-as-fight-heats-up.html)<br />
A City Panel was expected to endorse a cap on the number of TNCs on the<br />
road, the number of hours they can drive and demand proper insurance.<br />
(http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023001336_ridesharerecapxml.html)<br />
As expected, Uber launched an aggressive and sleazy campaign to sway<br />
Councilmembers' votes.<br />
(http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023010741_ridesharecapsvotexml.html)<br />
<br />
In San Francisco, quite to the contrary of Seattle's position on TNCs, <br />
Mayor Ed Lee has embraced Uber, Lyft and SideCar since the very beginning of <br />
their encroachment on the San Francisco taxi industry, praising them as<br />
"innovative-ride-share-services" and proclaiming July 13 "Lyft Day".<br />
<br />
Through Mayoral Spokeswoman Christine Falvey, after a Board of <br />
Supervisors' Services and Safety Committee hearing on TNCs on March 6,<br />
(http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/sf-exploring-ways-to-regulate-ride-services-like-uber-lyft/Content?oid=2724033)<br />
Mayor Ed Lee once again ignoring 7,000+ cab drivers potentially going<br />
unemployed and several cab companies potentially going broke, praised TNCs<br />
for the opportunities of employment they provide to San Franciscans.<br />
What???!!!<br />
<br />
I do have a constitutional right to criticize the government and I am. If <br />
it is OK for our mayor to ignore the San Francisco taxi industry as a "City<br />
Asset" and facilitate unfair competition, if it is OK for the president of<br />
the most powerful state regulatory agency to be flown, wined and dined on<br />
lobbyists' dime<br />
(http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Flown-Wined-and-Dined-on-Lobbyists-Dimes-217678111.html),<br />
and if it is OK for our legislators and law enforcement agencies to just<br />
stand idly by and watch public transportation cannibalize itself as public<br />
safety is being jeopardized...<br />
.I have to question if the core values of our democracy and the<br />
credibility of our government have been undermined by the venture capital<br />
and the lobbying going around ???!!!<br />
<br />
I feel disappointed and disillusioned with how our municipal and state<br />
governments have handled this matter, letting down a one-hundred-year-old<br />
"regulated" taxi industry to support a business model that thrives on<br />
deceiving the public and keeping their commercial activities secret from<br />
their insurance carriers.<br />
<br />
In the name of innovation, under the lies of ride-sharing, under the <br />
mantle of a sharing economy and in some kind of mockery of the taxi industry, <br />
TNCs have ruthlessly trespassed on public transportation all across the <br />
country, sharing its riches but not sharing its responsibilities.<br />
(http://www.salon.com/2014/02/17/youre_not_fooling_us_uber_8_reasons_why_the_sharing_economy_is_all_about_corporate_greed/)<br />
<br />
If this corporate greed is not addressed and if the irresponsibility and<br />
recklessness of cities and regulatory agencies continue to allow the<br />
uncontrolled proliferation of these regulatory-free-environments, the <br />
public at large will continue to get hurt and bear the costs of their injuries <br />
and losses.<br />
<br />
Attorney Chris Dolan from The Dolan Law Firm, chris.dolan@cbdlaw.com<br />
415-421-2800, who represents the Liu family as it relates to the death of<br />
Sofia Liu, provided extensive comments to the CPUC regarding potential <br />
legal issues before its ruling on TNCs in September 2013. I believe he can <br />
further assist you regarding this issue.<br />
<br />
I urge you again to look into this matter which should be of great <br />
interest nation-wide. The chain of events that led to the death of young Sofia Liu<br />
should not be ignored by anyone.<br />
Thank you very much for your time.<br />
<br />
Marcelo Fonseca<br />
mdf1389@hotmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
From: mdf1389@hotmail.com<br />
To: 60m@cbsnews.com<br />
CC: mkelly@cbs.com<br />
Subject: Uber, Lyft & SideCar vs Taxis - An Epic Turf War?<br />
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2013 20:44:03 -0800<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
CBS News - 60 Minutes<br />
524 West 57th Street<br />
New York - NY<br />
212-975-3247<br />
<br />
In recent years we've had an influx of app developers selling rides to<br />
anybody with a car, providing on-demand taxi services to anybody in need <br />
of transportation. Start-ups like Uber, Lyft and SideCar, in a <br />
regulatory-free environment, have multiplied at an unbelievable rate, unfairly competing<br />
with legitimate, regulated taxis. XXXXXXXX (REDACTED)<br />
<br />
As San Francisco CBS' Mark Kelly reported on Sept, 19th, 2013, the<br />
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), based on a recommendation<br />
from President Michael Peevey and Administrative Law Judge Robert Mason,<br />
voted in a proposed decision allowing these services, referred to as<br />
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), to continue their operations.<br />
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/09/19/california-adopts-car-sharing-service-regulations/<br />
<br />
Get into your private car, download an app and go into business, has <br />
become the public transportation model adopted by the CPUC. In San Francisco, <br />
there are more TNCs under the wings of the CPUC than there are legitimate <br />
taxicabs under the SFMTA's jurisdiction.<br />
<br />
Seemingly, billionaire venture capitalists and their lobbyists from <br />
Silicon Valley's influential tech community cleverly used social media advocacy to<br />
influence government decisions. Apparently Facebook and Twitter <br />
firestorms, in a change.org petition, persuaded our elected and appointed officials to<br />
succumb to public pressure. Rather than making an objective legal <br />
decision, the CPUC bowed to Uber, Lyft, and SideCar, lifting a cease-and-desist <br />
order long before the ruling on Sept, 19th, 2013.<br />
<br />
In the Uber article attached, Ms. Molly Cohen, a Juris Doctor candidate at<br />
Harvard Law School, clearly expresses what Uber fans, citizens of the<br />
start-up nation, accomplished in Boston through social media advocacy,<br />
forcing Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to reverse a decision from <br />
the Division of Standards. The original decision had blocked Uber's use of<br />
unapproved devices. Unfortunately, a similar situation has unfolded here <br />
in California.<br />
<br />
The taxi industry, led by the Taxicab Paratransit Association of <br />
California (TPAC), is challenging the CPUC decision (see attachment). Also, attorneys<br />
from different law firms are suing Uber on the basis of unfair business<br />
practices. In other states, the taxi industry is litigating against Uber,<br />
Lyft and SideCar on a variety of legal issues.<br />
<br />
TNCs still ferry people around for profit in their personally insured<br />
vehicles, keeping their commercial business operations secret from their<br />
insurance companies, knowingly deceiving the public. San Francisco cab<br />
drivers report their license plates to the San Francisco Cab Drivers<br />
Association (SFCDA) who then report them to the Personal Insurance<br />
Federation of California (PIFC) which has shown concerns over the CPUC<br />
regulations. Please, check the following links on the confusion and <br />
secrecy over insurance:<br />
http://taxicabtimes.com/a-proprietary-promise-the-one-million-dollars-that-lies-behind-closed-door-p1998-1.htm<br />
http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2013/11/07/taxis-lyft-ride-service-war-on-streets-of-san-francisco<br />
http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2013/11/14/can-lyft-uberx-drivers-lose-their-insurance<br />
<br />
In the following article, legislators referred to the CPUC as a "FIEFDOM" <br />
as<br />
they moved to rein in the Commission, taking steps to force the regulatory<br />
agency to justify how it spends its money. It is alarming to read about <br />
its<br />
lax attitude toward safety.<br />
http://thereporter.com/news/ci_23207301/legislators-take-steps-rein-california-public-utilities-commission?source=email<br />
<br />
This television segment shows CPUC President Michael Peevey's integrity<br />
being questioned as he is reported to have been flown, wined and dined on<br />
lobbyists dimes.<br />
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Flown-Wined-and-Dined-on-Lobbyists-Dimes-217678111.html<br />
<br />
As a career cab driver, 30-year San Francisco resident and citizen<br />
registered to vote, this matter deeply concerns me. The thought of having<br />
our appointed/elected officials owned by lobbyists or the thought of them<br />
being in office just to fool us into believing we have freedom of choice <br />
is<br />
disheartening.<br />
<br />
When cab drivers see their incomes drop 50% after the CPUC's unfair <br />
ruling,<br />
facilitating unfair competition, it's very easy to assume that big, <br />
wealthy<br />
businesses own and control everything. A<br />
"money-to-money-and-shit-to-the-dummy" attitude seems to be the policy<br />
adopted these days.<br />
<br />
In his State of the City Address in 2013, Mayor Ed Lee embraced SideCar <br />
and<br />
Lyft as "ride-share services". A lot has been written and a lot has been<br />
said about this "sharing economy" and these rogue "ride-sharing" car<br />
services. Nobody is sharing anything with anybody; everybody is just <br />
trying<br />
to make a buck. The questions are: 1) Is San Francisco big enough for all<br />
these services?? 2) Can our local government make it safe for the public??<br />
3) Can our local government level the playing field of competition?? We <br />
cab<br />
drivers sure hope so!!<br />
<br />
As I urge you to investigate these changes in public transportation in San<br />
Francisco and how our government handles it, I share with you the letters<br />
below which I wrote to Governor Jerry Brown, several Senators and Assembly<br />
Members in Sacramento. I trust your powerful investigative reporting<br />
journalism can shed light on this matter, bringing awareness to people in<br />
need of public transportation in San Francisco and across the country.<br />
<br />
Following are names of individuals and parties who can assist you further <br />
in<br />
this matter:<br />
<br />
Taxicab Paratransit Association Of California (TPAC)<br />
916-448-3444<br />
<br />
TPAC Attorneys - Marron Law Firm<br />
Paul Marron, Steve Rice, Jamie Laurent<br />
562-432-7422<br />
<br />
Attorneys<br />
Tom Brandi<br />
415-989-1800<br />
Gary Oswald<br />
415-927-5700<br />
<br />
Jim Gillespie<br />
President of Yellow Cab Coop - San Francisco<br />
jim@yellowcabsf.com<br />
415-593-9262<br />
<br />
Hansu Kim<br />
President of Desoto Cab Company - San Francisco<br />
hansu@gonzalezkim.com<br />
415-387-5122<br />
<br />
Charles Rathbone<br />
General Manager of Luxor Cab Company - San Francisco<br />
Charles@luxorcab.com<br />
415-401-1422<br />
<br />
Christiane Hayashi<br />
Deputy Director of Taxis and Accessible Services<br />
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)<br />
christiane.hayashi@sfmta.com<br />
415-701-5235<br />
<br />
Carl Macmurdo<br />
President of Medallion Holders Association (MHA)<br />
cmac906@yahoo.com<br />
415-602-2004<br />
<br />
Barry Korengold<br />
President of San Francisco Cab Drivers Association (SFCDA)<br />
bkor@pacbell.net<br />
415-602-1180<br />
<br />
Mark Gruberg<br />
President of Green Cab Company - San Francisco<br />
mark1106@att.net<br />
415-606-1106<br />
<br />
Thank you in advance for looking into this.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Marcelo Fonseca<br />
mdf1389@hotmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
From: mdf1389@hotmail.com<br />
To: senator.yee@senate.ca.gov; johannes.rognerud@sen.ca.gov;<br />
assemblymember.lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov; jessica.peryda@asm.ca.gov;<br />
senatordesaulnier@sen.ca.gov; assemblymember.fong@assembly.ca.gov;<br />
howard.quan@asm.ca.gov; mullin@assembly.ca.gov; <br />
virginia.kroger@asm.ca.gov;<br />
senator.hill@senate.ca.gov; assemblymember.ting@assembly.ca.gov;<br />
senator.leno@senate.ca.gov; assemblymember.campos@assembly.ca.gov<br />
Subject: CPUC - Proposed Decision on TNCs<br />
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2013 20:09:47 -0800<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Governor Jerry Brown<br />
Senator Leland YeeSenator Mark LenoSenator Jerry HillSenator Mark<br />
DeSaulnierAssembly Member Bonnie LowenthalAssembly Member Paul <br />
FongAssembly<br />
Member Philip TingAssembly Member Kevin MullinSpeaker Pro Tempore Nora<br />
CamposCC/CPUC Public AdvisorPresident Michael PeeveyALJ Robert Mason III<br />
It's been more than two months since I wrote you the letter below, urging<br />
you to look into a proposed decision from CPUC President Michael Peevey <br />
and<br />
ALJ Robert Mason regarding the rule-making process on Uber, Lyft and<br />
SideCar, now referred to as TNCs - Transportation Network Companies.<br />
<br />
As you know, on Sept 19th, President Peevey's recommendations were voted <br />
in<br />
unanimously, allowing TNCs to continue their operations.<br />
<br />
Shrouded in controversy and secrecy, this proposed decision changes the<br />
definition of on-demand into pre-arranged, creating a new and<br />
lightly-regulated taxi service in San Francisco. Seemingly secret <br />
agreements<br />
have been signed with Uber, Lyft and SideCar, exempting these services <br />
from<br />
following the same rules and regulations legitimate San Francisco taxis<br />
must.<br />
<br />
Regarding proof of commercial insurance, driver background checks and<br />
vehicle inspections, no one knows how these polices will be implemented<br />
since the CPUC's Safety and Enforcement Division does not have enough<br />
manpower to enforce them, leaving these companies to govern themselves.<br />
<br />
TNC's venture capitalists and their lobbyists from Silicon Valley's<br />
influential tech community spent thousands, if not millions, on their <br />
slick<br />
PR campaigns to portray these tech-cab companies as the very best solution<br />
for Californians in need of transportation. A change.org petition filled <br />
the<br />
CPUC Public Advisor's Inbox to persuade the Commission to legitimize their<br />
operations and, sure enough, the cease-and-desist orders on those services<br />
were inexplicably lifted.<br />
<br />
Under the lie of ride-sharing and under the mantle of a sharing-economy,<br />
Uber, Lyft and SideCar have used every legal contortion and every<br />
sleight-of-hand not to be defined as taxicabs.<br />
<br />
One of the attachments annexed shows that Uber recently appealed the <br />
CPUC's<br />
decision, seeking for rehearing, still trying not to be under the<br />
Commission's jurisdiction as a transportation company.<br />
<br />
Without any regard to necessary regulatory oversight nor in any accordance<br />
with safety principles, these TNCs make innovation synonymous to deceit <br />
and<br />
theft as they jeopardize public safety, robbing cab drivers blind and<br />
driving the San Francisco taxi industry into a dead end.<br />
<br />
This current situation in San Francisco demands urgent action from<br />
legislators and law enforcement. The passing of this proposed decision has<br />
opened the flood gates to abuse, exploitation of the public, anarchy and<br />
lawlessness as taxi drivers and TNC drivers cut each other off, fighting<br />
over fares, turning the streets of San Francisco into a NASCAR race track.<br />
<br />
Not long ago I drove two ladies from Castro and Market Streets back to the<br />
Hilton Hotel - Union Square. Upon arrival they were very surprised that on<br />
my meter, it was less than 15 dollars. I was not surprised as they went on<br />
to tell me that they were walked into a Town Car by the doorman and paid <br />
60<br />
dollars cash for the same trip.<br />
<br />
Almost every hotel in San Francisco has turned their taxi zones into<br />
permanent limo parking lots; every doorman seems to be negotiating rides<br />
with Town Car drivers and the Safety and Enforcement Division is nowhere <br />
to<br />
be found.<br />
<br />
Another instance of how rules and regulations are necessary is this case <br />
of<br />
a Lyft driver stalking his female passenger, reported by the Valleywag:<br />
http://sfist.com/2013/07/17/wh.<br />
<br />
I am aware of Senate Bill #SB338 that requires modified limousines to have<br />
two readily accessible and fully charged fire extinguishers,<br />
introduced/co-authored by Senators Hill, DeSaulnier, Yee and Assembly<br />
Members Campos, Fong, Mullin and Ting.<br />
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0301-0350/sb_338_bill_20130918_enrolled.html<br />
Unfortunately this bill will not bring back the five young women killed in<br />
the San Mateo Bridge limo fire; nevertheless it serves as an example of <br />
how<br />
urgent it is to have TNCs heavily regulated before another tragedy occurs.<br />
<br />
The potential inability of cities to effectively supply and regulate taxis<br />
in the face of unlimited and unfair competition is an issue of great<br />
concern. The TPAC - Taxicab Paratransit Association of California has also<br />
appealed this CPUC decision, clearly challenging it due to concerns about<br />
the Environmental Quality Act, TNCs engaging in taxicab transportation<br />
services and the CPUC's jurisdiction over TNCs. (See attachment annexed).<br />
<br />
I have argued throughout this whole process that TNCs providing fee-based<br />
transportation services within the City and County of San Francisco should<br />
be under the SFMTA's jurisdiction. I have also argued that TNCs are not<br />
ride-sharing companies and therefore should be regulated as taxis. You can<br />
see/hear my argument in this news segment on CBS in a square-off against<br />
"ride-selling" companies at a CPUC meeting on Sept 5th:<br />
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/video/9276607-taxi-companies-square-off-against-ride-share-firms-at-puc-meeting/<br />
<br />
Every year prior to elections, we get our mail boxes filled with brochures<br />
from politicians praising themselves as they ask for our votes. Yesterday,<br />
at a municipal level, I chose not to support any of the propositions Mayor<br />
Ed Lee and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsome support. After the passing of<br />
this proposed decision by the CPUC that unleashes an all-out assault on <br />
the<br />
San Francisco taxi industry, facilitating unfair competition, I wonder who<br />
cab drivers will choose to vote for in the next state level election.<br />
<br />
I sure hope you will look into this proposed decision from the CPUC with <br />
all<br />
of your resources and keep the playing field of competition leveled.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Marcelo Fonseca<br />
mdf1389@hotmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Governor<br />
<br />
Jerry BrownSenator Leland YeeSenator Mark LenoSenator Jerry HillSenator <br />
Mark DeSaulnierAssembly Member Paul FongAssembly Member Philip <br />
TingAssembly Member Kevin MullinSpeaker Pro Tempore Nora CamposAssembly <br />
Member Richard GordonCC/CPUC Public AdvisorPresident Michael PeeveyALJ <br />
Robert Mason IIIThe CPUC will vote on a proposed decision from <br />
President-CommissionerMichael Peevey and ALJ Robert Mason this coming Sep <br />
5th. This proposeddecision is regarding the rule-making process on <br />
theNew-Online-Enabled-Transportation-Services like Uber, Lyft and SideCar, <br />
nowreferred to as TNCs, Transportation-Network-Companies.As a full-time <br />
San Francisco taxi driver for almost 25 years, I would liketo say that <br />
this rule-making process, from the very beginning, wasstructured to <br />
provide cover for the approval of these services. The Safety &Enforcement <br />
Division (SED) prematurely approved TNC's misleading operations,unfairly <br />
competing with an already established taxi industry. An open entryfor TCP <br />
licenses allowed everybody and their brother to start driving for aliving, <br />
turning San Francisco into a small town where TNC drivers and taxidrivers <br />
fight over dwindling fares, posing great danger to the public.A new <br />
category of public transportation, with light regulatory treatment hasbeen <br />
given to Uber, Lyft and SideCar without any justification. The use <br />
ofsmartphone applications, which cab companies already have, seems to be <br />
thereason for the CPUC to propose regulations in a significantly <br />
andfundamentally different manner from taxis.The CPUC has failed to <br />
recognize the true nature of the TNC's operations andthe true nature of <br />
their business models as TNCs use contract language thatessentially <br />
requires all passengers and drivers to "waive all claims".This proposed <br />
decision to use drivers without commercial licenses in privatecars, less <br />
regulated than carriers using professional drivers and commercialvehicles <br />
should not be accepted. It contradicts the Commission's mandate toprotect <br />
the public. This segment on KTVU - Channel 2 News has been airedover and <br />
over again, showing how the public is at danger when unmarkedvehicles roam <br />
the streets soliciting rides with <br />
impunity.(http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/special-report-gypsy-cabs-pose-threats-to/vqmTq/)For <br />
the CPUC to exercise jurisdiction over Uber, Lyft and SideCar, operatingin <br />
San Francisco as taxis, the Commission should not grant these <br />
tech-cabcompanies any special privileges nor any special treatments. To <br />
protect thepublic's welfare, jointly with the San Francisco Municipal <br />
TransportationAgency (SFMTA), the CPUC should require all TNCs to comply <br />
with the samerules and regulations taxis must follow.If you read this <br />
commentary by Attorney Veena Dubal, a doctoral candidate inthe <br />
jurisprudence and social policy program at UC Berkeley, you will agreethat <br />
this particular proposed decision by the CPUC has to be <br />
rejected.(http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/bandit-cabs-are-bad-for-drivers-and-passengers-4747566.php).When <br />
we taxi drivers, residents of California, feel pushed out of workunfairly <br />
and illegally by a silly pink moustache and a simple phone app, itis <br />
natural to commiserate with the frustration of our fellow driver <br />
TrevorJohnson from the San Francisco Cab Drivers Association (SFCDA) shown <br />
in thisNBC report. <br />
(http://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/219882211.html)When we taxi <br />
drivers read articles about legislators moving to rein in theCPUC, where <br />
lawmakers refer to the Commission as a "FIEFDOM", <br />
...http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_23207301/legislators-take-steps-rein-california-public-utilities-commission?source=email<br />
<br />
...and even more so, whentaxi drivers become aware of President Peevey's <br />
travels, being wined anddined on lobbyists <br />
dimeshttp://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Flown-Wined-and-Dined-on-Lobbyists-Dimes-217678111.html, <br />
we become pessimistic about a fair ruling on the TNCs andwe see our trust <br />
in our elected/appointed officials totally undermined.In the middle of <br />
this crisis, as we still wait for answers about the SanMateo Bridge <br />
limousine fire that killed five young women, we just hope theCPUC will not <br />
rush to vote in this proposed decision that will leave Uber,Lyft and <br />
SideCar to govern themselves.Questionable enough, our very own San <br />
Francisco Mayor, Mr. Ed Lee hasendorsed the bandit tech-cab companies, <br />
facilitating unfair competition anddriving the San Francisco taxi industry <br />
into to dire straits. Sadly enough,our City Attorney's Office and our <br />
Board of Supervisors have been silent onthe issue.In the taxi industry we <br />
have always feared the City of San Francisco and theState of California <br />
becoming too vulnerable and too susceptible to SiliconValley's money. As <br />
law and order collapse on the streets of San Franciscowith the influx of <br />
bandit-tech-cabs, one can easily presume that cabdrivers' fears are <br />
becoming cab drivers' worse nightmares.I urge you to look into this <br />
proposed decision with all of your resources.Public safety and the <br />
livelihoods of thousands of taxi drivers should not bejeopardized by the <br />
CPUC's favoritism in this ruling on Uber, Lyft andSideCar.Thank you very <br />
much for your consideration of this matter.Marcelo Fonseca25-year career <br />
cab drivermdf1389@hotmail.com <br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-15375878184655758742014-03-17T18:59:00.000-07:002014-03-17T19:00:33.355-07:00Fw: BOS Neighborhood Services and Safety Committee - Mar 6th, 2014The March 6 Neighborhood Services Committee hearing is linked below.
<br> The discussion pertains to establishing a city regulatory policy for the
<br> so-called Transportation Network Companies.
<br> Beginning at 06:20, Chris Hayashi makes a 40-minute presentation to
<br> help educate the Supervisors about the issue. "Marzia" represents the CPUC
<br> in addressing the committee and answering questions (45:25 - 1:02:00).
<br> Chris Dolan, the attorney who represents the family run over by an Uber
<br> X driver last December 31, speaks from 1:03:00 - 1:08:35. Numerous taxi
<br> speakers follow until 2:29:40. At that point, the Supervisors comment for
<br> five minutes. They decide to discuss the matter further in order to draft
<br> a resolution and recommendations that will be sent to the full board.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=164&clip_id=19516">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=164&clip_id=19516</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-73519329040859801092014-01-09T19:37:00.001-08:002014-01-09T19:37:46.136-08:00Police Commission Hearing January 8, 2014Here is a link to the January 8, 2014, Police Commission meeting.
<br> General public comment is from 01:42 - 45:57. Seven of the approximately
<br> fifteen speakers are taxi drivers (Mark Gruberg, Carl Macmurdo, Barry
<br> Korengold, John Han, Barry Taranto, Mary McGuire, and Emil Lawrence).
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=21&clip_id=19084">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=21&clip_id=19084</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-64134622113304254362013-11-09T18:02:00.000-08:002013-11-09T18:03:13.855-08:00TPAC's appeal of the September 2013 CPUC ruling on TNC'sThe Taxicab Paratransit Association of California has filed an appeal,
<br>requesting the California Public Utility Commission to reconsider its
<br>recent ruling which legitimizes the activities of so-called Transportation
<br>Network Companies including Lyft, Sidecar, and Uber X. Here is the link to
<br>TPAC's appeal.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://www.medallionholders.com/tpac">http://www.medallionholders.com/tpac</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-89001449437240301422013-10-24T14:34:00.000-07:002013-10-24T14:35:15.217-07:00Fw: Municipal Transportation Agency - Oct 15th, 2013 meetingLinked below is the October 15 sfmta board hearing. Three items are
<br> taxi-related.
<br> Item # 14, "Meter Gate Report," is from 58:45 - 2:03:26. It consists of
<br> presentations by industry consultant Dr. Dan Hara and Chris Hayashi,
<br> followed by public comment. There are many excellent speeches. The Board
<br> approves the item otherwise, but did delay until April 1, 2014,
<br> implementation of raising the allowable gate fee by $9.75 per shift.
<br> Item # 15, "Medallion Leasing TC Amendment," is from 2:59:18 - 3:22:18.
<br> Its intention is to curtail medallion brokering by unauthorized parties.
<br> Item # 9, "General Public Comment," has a number of taxi speakers
<br> (3:33:33 - 3:55:10).
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=18596">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=18596</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-49899971142189261632013-09-26T14:22:00.002-07:002013-09-26T14:22:17.485-07:00 The September 19 CPUC meeting video is linked below. Archive Video Part 1 has all the relevant information.<br />
From 04:12 - 38:35, almost all speeches are made either by TNC drivers and customers, or taxi industry representatives.<br />
Pro-taxi speakers include Charles M. from Senior Action Network (12:55), Jim Gillespie (14:14), Martin Kazinski (17:45), Hansu Kim (22:02), Ben Valis (23:17), Trevor Johnson (25:52), Zachariah (26:35), Ed Healy (28:55), Dave Schneider (30:10), Ron Walter (31:40), Mary McGuire (32:52), Bart Goldstein (34:14), and Robert Cesana (35:45).<br />
At 39:55, the Commissioners make comments and then vote unanimous approval. The item ends at 59:04, shortly after president Peevey laughingly remarks, "Bon Voyage. Farewell."<br />
I viewed the proceedings from an overflow room with 100 Lyft supporters who reacted to the approval vote as though they had won the Powerball Lotto. It was a very surreal experience, stuck in Geek Central, the audience roaring approval at their colleagues' speeches, actively hissing at Mary McGuire's remarks.<br />
Although uncertain, I believe the new rules will be effective in about three or four months. Apparently, CPUC has 45 days to establish TNC application forms and procedures, followed by a 60-day window for TNC applications. One silver lining is that some of the unfair competitive advantages which TNC's have been utilizing the past fourteen months have now been replaced by insurance and other requirements that will increase their costs.<br />
<br />
http://www.californiaadmin.com/cpuc.shtml <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-28793026696280071782013-09-04T15:04:00.000-07:002013-09-04T15:05:04.593-07:00Marcelo Fonseca's letter regarding California Public Utilities Commission's proposed decision on TNCsFrom: Marcelo Fonseca
<br>To: Medallion Holders Network New Infotaxi
<br>Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 11:44 AM
<br>Subject: [infotaxi] CPUC - Proposed Decision on TNCs
<br>
<br>
<br>Governor Jerry Brown
<br>Senator Leland Yee
<br>Senator Mark Leno
<br>Senator Jerry Hill
<br>Senator Mark DeSaulnier
<br>Assembly Member Paul Fong
<br>Assembly Member Philip Ting
<br>Assembly Member Kevin Mullin
<br>Speaker Pro Tempore Nora Campos
<br>Assembly Member Richard Gordon
<br>
<br>CC/
<br>CPUC Public Advisor
<br>President Michael Peevey
<br>ALJ Robert Mason III
<br>
<br>The CPUC will vote on a proposed decision from President-Commissioner
<br>Michael Peevey and ALJ Robert Mason this coming Sep 5th. This proposed
<br>decision is regarding the rule-making process on the
<br>New-Online-Enabled-Transportation-Services like Uber, Lyft and SideCar, now
<br>referred to as TNCs, Transportation-Network-Companies.
<br>
<br>As a full-time San Francisco taxi driver for almost 25 years, I would like
<br>to say that this rule-making process, from the very beginning, was
<br>structured to provide cover for the approval of these services. The Safety &
<br>Enforcement Division (SED) prematurely approved TNC's misleading operations,
<br>unfairly competing with an already established taxi industry. An open entry
<br>for TCP licenses allowed everybody and their brother to start driving for a
<br>living, turning San Francisco into a small town where TNC drivers and taxi
<br>drivers fight over dwindling fares, posing great danger to the public.
<br>
<br>A new category of public transportation, with light regulatory treatment has
<br>been given to Uber, Lyft and SideCar without any justification. The use of
<br>smartphone applications, which cab companies already have, seems to be the
<br>reason for the CPUC to propose regulations in a significantly and
<br>fundamentally different manner from taxis.
<br>
<br>The CPUC has failed to recognize the true nature of the TNC's operations and
<br>the true nature of their business models as TNCs use contract language that
<br>essentially requires all passengers and drivers to "waive all claims".
<br>
<br>This proposed decision to use drivers without commercial licenses in private
<br>cars, less regulated than carriers using professional drivers and commercial
<br>vehicles should not be accepted. It contradicts the Commission's mandate to
<br>protect the public. This segment on KTVU - Channel 2 News has been aired
<br>over and over again, showing how the public is at danger when unmarked
<br>vehicles roam the streets soliciting rides with impunity.
<br>(<a href="http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/special-report-gypsy-cabs-pose-threats-to/vqmTq/">http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/special-report-gypsy-cabs-pose-threats-to/vqmTq/</a>)
<br>
<br>For the CPUC to exercise jurisdiction over Uber, Lyft and SideCar, operating
<br>in San Francisco as taxis, the Commission should not grant these tech-cab
<br>companies any special privileges nor any special treatments. To protect the
<br>public's welfare, jointly with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation
<br>Agency (SFMTA), the CPUC should require all TNCs to comply with the same
<br>rules and regulations taxis must follow.
<br>
<br>If you read this commentary by Attorney Veena Dubal, a doctoral candidate in
<br>the jurisprudence and social policy program at UC Berkeley, you will agree
<br>that this particular proposed decision by the CPUC has to be rejected.
<br>(<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/bandit-cabs-are-bad-for-drivers-and-passengers-4747566.php">http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/bandit-cabs-are-bad-for-drivers-and-passengers-4747566.php</a>).
<br>
<br>When we taxi drivers, residents of California, feel pushed out of work
<br>unfairly and illegally by a silly pink moustache and a simple phone app, it
<br>is natural to commiserate with the frustration of our fellow driver Trevor
<br>Johnson from the San Francisco Cab Drivers Association (SFCDA) shown in this
<br>NBC report. (<a href="http://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/219882211.html">http://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/219882211.html</a>)
<br>
<br>When we taxi drivers read articles about legislators moving to rein in the
<br>CPUC, where lawmakers refer to the Commission as a "FIEFDOM", ...
<br><a href="http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_23207301/legislators-take-steps-rein-california-public-utilities-commission?source=email">http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_23207301/legislators-take-steps-rein-california-public-utilities-commission?source=email</a>
<br>...and even more so, when taxi drivers become aware of President Peevey's
<br>travels, being wined and dined on lobbyists dimes
<br><a href="http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Flown-Wined-and-Dined-on-Lobbyists-Dimes-217678111.html">http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Flown-Wined-and-Dined-on-Lobbyists-Dimes-217678111.html</a>,
<br>we become pessimistic about a fair ruling on the TNCs and we see our trust
<br>in our elected/appointed officials totally undermined.
<br>
<br>In the middle of this crisis, as we still wait for answers about the San
<br>Mateo Bridge limousine fire that killed five young women, we just hope the
<br>CPUC will not rush to vote in this proposed decision that will leave Uber,
<br>Lyft and SideCar to govern themselves.
<br>
<br>Questionable enough, our very own San Francisco Mayor, Mr. Ed Lee has
<br>endorsed the bandit tech-cab companies, facilitating unfair competition and
<br>driving the San Francisco taxi industry into to dire straits. Sadly enough,
<br>our City Attorney's Office and our Board of Supervisors have been silent on
<br>the issue.
<br>
<br>In the taxi industry we have always feared the City of San Francisco and the
<br>State of California becoming too vulnerable and too susceptible to Silicon
<br>Valley's money. As law and order collapse on the streets of San Francisco
<br>with the influx of bandit-tech-cabs, one can easily presume that cab
<br>drivers' fears are becoming cab drivers' worse nightmares.
<br>
<br>I urge you to look into this proposed decision with all of your resources.
<br>Public safety and the livelihoods of thousands of taxi drivers should not be
<br>jeopardized by the CPUC's favoritism in this ruling on Uber, Lyft and
<br>SideCar.
<br>
<br>Thank you very much for your consideration of this matter.
<br>
<br>Marcelo Fonseca
<br>24-year career cab driverUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-50235848111200065492013-08-24T15:58:00.001-07:002013-08-24T15:58:37.303-07:00Fw: Municipal Transportation Agency - Aug 20th, 2013The sfmta board hearing from August 20 is linked below. The time
<br> markings of taxi-related material are as follows:
<br> Under item# 7, Director's report, Ed Reiskin summarizes the CPUC
<br> rule-making developments (28:18 - 39:52).
<br> Some of the public comment on item 7 is from taxi members (Barry
<br> Taranto, then Hansu Kim from 48:05 - 52:40; Tariq Mehmood, then Tone Lee
<br> from 1:01:50 - 1:06:18; Bill Mounsey from 1:08:22 - 1:10:32).
<br> Many of the speakers under item # 9, general public comment, were
<br> non-taxi, but some were from taxi (Bill Mounsey 1:14:20 - 1:16:30; Barry
<br> Taranto, then Hansu Kim 1:31:00 - 1:35:20; Tariq Mehmood, then Tone Lee
<br> 1:39:32 - 1:43:45; Emil Lawrence, then Barry Korengold 1:48:44 - 1:53:12).
<br> Consent calendar item # 10.11 contained a controversial proposal to
<br> require annual training henceforth for all taxi drivers (2:08:56 -
<br> 2:38:11). Chris Hayashi makes explanatory comments, ten public speakers
<br> weigh in, then the board has a brief discussion and approves the
<br> legislation.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=18214">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=18214</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-24146346201994355752013-08-22T00:05:00.000-07:002013-08-22T00:06:18.607-07:00Fw: Board of Appeals - Aug 14th, 2013From 05:14 - 38:10 on the link below, the Board of Appeals considered a
<br> proposed Memorandum of Understanding last night between BOA and SFMTA
<br> defining the conditions and inclusion of future appeals by taxicab permit
<br> holders. Director Chris Hayashi made a presentation, five industry members
<br> made speeches, and then all five BOA Board members stated that they were
<br> opposed to the MOU.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=6&clip_id=18179">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=6&clip_id=18179</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-33719531597052749032013-06-19T17:51:00.000-07:002013-06-19T17:52:10.496-07:00Fw: Municipal Transportation Agency Meeting - June 18th, 2013The June 18 sfmta board hearing is linked below. Taxi speakers under
<br> general public comment are Hansu Kim (31:04 - 33:18), Emil Lawrence
<br>(37:49 -
<br> 40:00), and Mary McGuire (40:19 - 42:12). From 43:16 - 44:24, there is a
<br> discussion between deputy city attorney, Mariam Morley, and Director
<br> Heinicke, who made a query regarding the anticipated time frame for a
<br> decision by the CPUC in their current rulemaking process regarding Uber,
<br> Lyft, et al.
<br> Item # 12, from 1:37:50 - 1:51:18, pertains to minor Transportation Code
<br> amendments involving medallion transfer fees and contributions to the
<br> drivers' fund. Hansu Kim (1:38:40 - 1:40:40), Mary McGuire ( 1:40:48 -
<br> 1:43:05), and Tone Lee (1:43:10 - 1:45:15) speak. The final six minutes of
<br> the session involve an approval vote, a question by Director Heinicke, and
<br>a
<br> response from Chris Hayashi updating the drivers' fund status.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=17781">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=17781</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-23429121931999689622013-02-05T23:39:00.001-08:002013-02-05T23:39:31.572-08:00Fw: Municipal Transportation Agency meeting dated February 5, 2013The sfmta board meeting from today is linked below. Under general public
<br> comment from 49:12 - 1:01:42, there are five taxi speakers --- Mark
<br>Gruberg,
<br> Ed Healy, Carl Macmurdo, Mary McGuire, and Barry Korengold --- and a brief
<br> board discussion.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=16769">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=16769</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-36349975237520840332012-11-21T22:39:00.000-08:002012-11-22T08:15:26.178-08:00The MTA Truncates the ListVideo of the SFMTA board meeting of November 20 is available here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=16414"><strong>Click here for the video.</strong></a><br />
<br />
Items 11 and 12 were combined, from 0:20:45 to 1:07. Item 11 pertained to truncating the medallion waiting list permanently as a source for non-purchased medallions.<br />
<br />
The proposal at the meeting was to allow 150 future medallions to be bought at half-price ($150,000) by top list applicants. The board raised the number of future medallions 200 and approved the item. Some speakers were very emotional. Angst and pathos were abundant, and a few speakers abandoned any notion of civility towards the board. <br />
<br />
Under item 9, general public comment, roughly half the speakers are from taxi (2:01:10 - 2:35:38). Item 13, technically a vote to extend the implementation date for electronic waybills until February 28, 2013, engendered conversation on the perceived need for a universal smart phone GPS based application, so as to copy UBER's business model (2:35 - 2:51). <br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-91069848909728294772012-10-16T22:04:00.001-07:002012-10-16T22:04:46.116-07:00Fw: Municipal Transportation Agency hearing on October 16, 2012The sfmta board hearing from today is linked below. The public comment
<br> agenda item (3:08:40 - 3:52:20) was delayed for hours. Speakers were
<br>limited
<br> to one minute.
<br> Many of the speakers were either incensed by recent policy developments,
<br> or otherwise passionate about their chosen topic. Most comments regard the
<br> issue that sfmta recently issued 150 - 200 medallions to itself for
<br> subsequent direct leasing to color schemes, as opposed to the long-standing
<br> practice of issuing medallions to waiting list applicants.
<br> On November 20, sfmta plans to make final decisions on future waitlist
<br> policy and other taxi issues.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=16138">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=16138</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-42947521472884595552012-10-05T12:12:00.001-07:002012-10-05T12:26:51.138-07:00Medallion Appeal RejectionRecently, SFMTA issued itself 150 new medallions for direct leasing to qualified color schemes. The United Taxicab Workers (UTW) filed an appeal with city's Appeals Board. The city attorney intervened with the opinion that Proposition A of 2007 allows SFMTA to determine how many new medallions are needed and that the Appeals Board no longer has jurisdiction over this determination, although the Appeals Board does continue to have jurisdiction over permit denials and permit suspensions and revocations. The letter linked below describes the city attorney's opinion. UTW has now exercised its right to convert the appeal into a request for jurisdiction, which the Appeals Board will consider at its October 24 hearing. As stated in the city's letter, that filing does not suspend SFMTA's right to issue the 150 medallions.<br />
<br />
Click on this link to view the letter:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://medallionholders.com/medallion-appeal-rejection-2012.pdf">Medallion Appeal Rejection Letter</a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-54934473175903391592012-09-06T00:25:00.001-07:002012-09-06T00:25:26.945-07:00September 4, 2012, sfmta board meetingLinked below is the September 4, 2012, sfmta board meeting. Item # 11 is
<br>a proposal for sfmta to issue from 150 - 200 new taxi medallions to
<br>themselves for direct leasing to color schemes which meet radio dispatch
<br>performance criteria that sfmta is developing. It is a three-year pilot
<br>program, with a suggested monthly leasing fee of about $1,900.
<br> Beginning at 31:50, Director Reiskin takes five minutes to introduce the
<br>measure. Then, from 36:40 - 1:41:22, a spectrum of individuals make speeches
<br>(taxi company representatives. taxi drivers including medallion waiting list
<br>applicants, and officials from the hotel, restaurant, and chamber of
<br>commerce associations.) From 1:41:22 - 2:09:10, the directors discuss and
<br>then unanimously approve the proposal. Mr. Reiskin states near the end that
<br>he will present a definitive proposal as to the future of the medallion
<br>waiting list at one of the next two board meetings (i.e., either September
<br>28 or October 16.)
<br> After a ten-minute recess, there is general public comment under item # 9
<br>(2:20:26 - 2:45:13), consisting mostly of taxi drivers.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br> <a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=15853">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=15853</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-3047039330345638422012-08-28T22:43:00.001-07:002012-08-28T22:43:18.880-07:00AUGUST 2012: New SFMTA Medallion Transfer Program
<br>
<br> The sfmta board approved a new medallion transfer program at its August
<br>21, 2012 meeting. The program is described as "permanent" and replaces the
<br>medallion sales pilot program effective September 20, 2012.
<br> Here are the main features:
<br>
<br> 1. All Proposition K and pre-K medallion holders age 60 and older, or
<br>who are disabled, may "surrender" their medallion to sfmta, which will
<br>compensate the outgoing medallion holder with a $200,000 payment. This is
<br>the same pre-capital gains taxes net amount received by sellers under the
<br>pilot program (i.e., during the pilot, medallions sold for $250,000 , less a
<br>$50,000 transfer fee).
<br>
<br> 2. SFMTA intends to sell the surrendered medallions to qualified taxi
<br>driver applicants at a new set price of $300,000.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-62476777485929212742012-07-18T17:01:00.000-07:002012-07-18T17:20:09.935-07:00MTA board meeting of July 17, 2012The July 17 SFMTA board hearing is linked below. Twelve of the fourteen speakers under general public comment, from 1:05 - 1:34, are from taxi (Hansu Kim - Tone Lee - Jeet Ghotra - Barry Taranto - Brian Rosen - Bill Mounsey - Keith Dennis - Mary McGuire - Mark Gruberg - Emil Lawrence - Barry Korengold - G. Singh). The Uber topic is addressed by a few speakers.<br>
<br>
During a prior item, it was revealed that the finance officer, Sonali Bose, is no longer in the taxi reporting chain, so that the taxi director (Chris Hayashi's position) now reports directly to Transportation Director, Ed Reiskin.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=15602">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=15602</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-17315508866040960242012-05-20T15:39:00.001-07:002012-05-20T19:46:12.182-07:00Proposed Transportation Code Regulations, May 2012The proposed regulations are linked below.
<br>
<br> <a href="http://www.medallionholders.com/draft">www.medallionholders.com/draft</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327542875347801488.post-6178239186227592862012-04-04T19:08:00.003-07:002012-04-04T21:29:48.683-07:00MTA Board meeting of April 3Linked below is the SFMTA Board meeting from April 3, 2012. Under the budget proposal item, Hansu Kim speaks from 1:38:00 - 1:40:15 regarding the opportunity sfmta is ignoring to generate major revenue by expanding the medallion sales program. Jim Gillespie (1:49:52 - 1:51:50) and Nate Dwiri (1:53:43 - 1:54:50) address the concern that the schedule of fees and fines proposed for the taxi industry lack a reasoned basis for justification. Mr. Kim addresses the board again under general public comment (5:52:30 - 5:54:45), advising that sfmta will meet serious pushback from the industry, plus potential liability responsibilities, were it to proceed in the direction of leasing out taxi medallions itself.<p><p><a href="http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=14722">http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=55&clip_id=14722</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com