(a) Definitions. In this section:
(1) Fund means the Transportation Services Improvement Fund established in this Section.
(2) Transportation Network Services means “Transportation Network Services” as defined in § 10-101 of the Public Utilities Article of the Maryland Code.
(b) Fund established.
(1) There is a Transportation Services Improvement Fund created to improve the delivery of:
(A) accessible transportation services in the County;
(B) transportation for eligible senior citizens; and
(C) transportation for persons of limited income.
(2) The Fund consists of:
(A) all revenue from the surcharge imposed on transportation network services under this Section;
(B) all funds appropriated to it by the County Council; and
(C) all funds received by the Fund from any other public or private entity.
(c) Per-ride surcharge. There is a $0.25 surcharge on Transportation Network Services for each trip originating in the County. The surcharge must be collected as provided in § 10-406 of the Public Utilities Article of the Maryland Code.
(d) Use of the Fund. Disbursements from the Fund must only be used to supplement, and must not supplant, Fiscal Year 2019 expenditures appropriated in the annual operating budget resolution to:
(1) offset the higher operational costs of accessible taxicab services for owners and operators including, but not limited to:
(A) vehicle costs associated with purchasing and retrofitting an accessible vehicle;
(B) costs associated with receiving training in providing accessible transportation services; and
(C) additional time involved in providing accessible taxicab services; or
(2) provide incentives or program enhancements to improve or expand transportation options for:
(A) persons with disabilities;
(B) eligible senior citizens; or
(C) persons of limited income.
(e) Disbursements from the Fund. The Executive must by regulation establish the procedure for determining when and how to make distributions from the Fund to taxicab owners and operators, including setting eligibility standards, imposing conditions of reimbursement, imposing a maximum amount of reimbursement, and considering timely distribution of reimbursement to taxicab owners and operators. (2015 L.M.C., ch. 41, §1; 2018 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 1.)