GOALS AND PURPOSE OF THE RULEMAKING

The rulemaking which culminated in the creation of G.O. 157 (and G.O. 158 for passenger stage corporations) was initiated primarily to respond to problems associated with the proliferation of carriers serving the state's airports. The regulations we promulgated together with increased airport enforcement efforts (sometimes in coordination with Commission staff) appear to have contained those problems to an acceptable level. However, our current regulations may not be adequate to curb practices occurring in other venues which are disruptive to the taxicab industry and frustrate local authorities in effectively regulating that industry as mandated by the Government Code.

Our goal is to have clear, enforceable regulations that will help abate the problem at issue. Prearrangement is one of the key factors in distinguishing charter-party service from taxicab service. In this rulemaking we will focus on Part 3.01 of G.O. 157-C and examine whether revisions are necessary to improve its effectiveness. We will also consider recommendations for other changes to G.O. 157-C that are consistent with our goal. We should note, though, that it is not our intention to make regulations that are unnecessarily burdensome or that unreasonably impede the public from obtaining the kinds of transportation services they desire.