Regulation of the North American Taxicab Industry

Year 2018, Volume: 18 Issue: 3, 353 - 365, 01.07.2018

David Saymour

Abstract

We examine the evolution of taxi regulation in North

America, providing a history of North American taxi

regulation. We study the current structure of taxi

regulation by generally looking at regulations in

North America and specifically looking at regulation

in New York City, the Boston metropolitan area, and

Los Angeles. We discuss theoretical justifications

for these regulations. By examining how the taxi

industry differs from other industries, we explain

the prevalence of price and quantity regulations,

and why the industry remains heavily regulated

despite numerous attempts at deregulation. We

discuss the cost of current regulations and how

emerging technologies may face similar regulatory

challenges but may also offer new opportunities.

Keywords

Taxi; Regulation

References

• Arnott, R. (1996). Taxi travel should be subsidized. Journal of Urban Economics 40 (3), 316–333.
• Ashenfelter, O., K. Doran, and B. Schaller (2010). A shred of credible evidence on the long-run elasticity of labour supply. Economica 77 (308), 637–650. Beesley, M. E. (1973). Regulation of taxis. The economic journal, 150–172.
• Boston Police Department (2008). Hackney carriage rules and regulations. http://static1.squarespace.com/ static/5086f19ce4b0ad16ff15598d/t/...52af61e1e4b- 0871946c07a41/1387225569980/Rule+403.pdf.
• Cairns, R. D. and C. Liston-Heyes (1996). Competition and regulation in the taxi industry. Journal of Public Economics 59 (1), 1–15.
• City of Cambridge Board of License Commissions (2017). Hackney rules & regulations. https://www.cambridgema. gov/~/media/Files/licensecommission/rulesandregs/... hackenyrulesamendedadopted61917.pdf?la=en
• City of Los Angeles (2017a). Ordinance Number 181745. City of Los Angeles (2017a). Ordinance Number 181745. (Accessed 03/2018)
• City of Los Angeles (2017b). Taxicab rules and regulations of the board of taxi commissioners. http://ladot.lacity.org/ sites/g/files/wph266/f/TAXICAB%20RULE%20BOOK%20 2014-BO082-rules%20only%20-%20effective%202017-04-20. pdf (Accessed 03/2018)
• Davis, D. F. (1998). The Canadian taxi wars, 1925–1950. Urban History Review/Revue d’histoire urbaine 27 (1), 7–22.
• Dempsey, P. S. (1996). Taxi industry regulation, deregulation, and reregulation: The paradox of market failure. University of Denver College of Law, Transportation Law Journal 24 (1), 73–120.
• Douglas, G. W. (1972). Price regulation and optimal service standards: The taxicab industry. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 116–127.
• Flath, D. (2006). Taxicab regulation in Japan. Journal of the Japanese and International Economies 20 (2), 288–304. Frankena, Mark W., and Paul A. Pautler. Taxicab regulation: an economic analysis. Research in Law and Economics 9 (1986): 129-165.
• London (1831). London hackney carriage act 1831. http://www. legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1831/22/pdfs/ukpga_18310022_ en.pdf. (Accessed 03/2018)
• New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (2017a). Rule book - chapter 58. http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/ pdf/rule_book_current_chapter_58.pdf. (Accessed 02/2018)
• New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (2017b). Rule book - chapter 67. http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/ pdf/rule_book_current_chapter_67.pdf. (Accessed 02/2018) New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (2017c). Rule book - chapter 82. http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/ pdf/rule_book_current_chapter_82.pdf. (Accessed 02/2018)
• Sabar, A. (2008, May 1). Adopting meters, Washington ends taxi zone system. The New York Times, May 1, 2008.
• Schaller, B. (2007). Entry controls in taxi regulation: Implications of US and Canadian experience for taxi regulation and deregulation. Transport Policy 14 (6), 490–506.
• Shreiber, C. (1975). The economic reasons for price and entry regulation of taxicabs. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 268–279.
• Teal, R. F. and M. Berglund (1987). The impacts of taxicab deregulation in the USA. Journal of transport economics and policy, 37–56.
• Town of Brookline Transportation Board (2015). Taxicab regulations. http://www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/ View/549. (Accessed 02/2018)
• Williams, D. J. (1980). The economic reasons for price and entry regulation of taxicabs: A comment. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 105–112.