In addition to all other conditions applicable to a Color Scheme Permit, each Color Scheme Permit Holder shall meet the following requirements and performance standards:
(a) Rights of Color Scheme Permit Holder; Permit Required. A Color Scheme Permit entitles the Permit Holder to operate a business that provides taxi service using vehicles painted with trade dress authorized by the permit and unique to that business. Any major change in trade dress colors of a Color Scheme Permit Holder shall require a permit application requesting the issuance of a new Color Scheme Permit. Minor changes in trade dress may be approved by SFMTA without a new permit application. SFMTA shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether a requested change of trade dress is major or minor. No person shall operate a Color Scheme business without a valid permit from the SFMTA.
(b) Color Scheme Trade Dress. Upon request, the Color Scheme Permit Holder shall provide to SFMTA electronic, high-resolution copies of color photographs of the front, sides and rear of each make and model of Taxi and Ramp Taxi vehicle affiliated with the Color Scheme.
(c) Use of Dispatch Service. Each Color Scheme shall ensure that all Medallion Holders affiliated with that Color Scheme utilize the same Dispatch Service utilized by the Color Scheme. A Color Scheme must obtain the prior written approval of the SFMTA before changing Dispatch Services. A Color Scheme request for change of Dispatch Service shall be approved unless the Color Scheme or the Dispatch Service is on Administrative Probation.
(d) Principal Place of Business. All Color Schemes shall maintain a principal place of business. Every Color Scheme must have the capacity to receive deliveries during business hours and to send and receive documents and electronic correspondence at all times, and the street address, telephone number(s) and/or electronic address(es) for documents and correspondence must be provided to the SFMTA.
(e) Change of Business Location. A Color Scheme must obtain the prior written approval of the SFMTA before changing its principal place of business.
(f) Telephone Access. Every Color Scheme shall maintain a current listing, including the name of the company and telephone number, with the San Francisco directory assistance (411), the City’s 311 system, and on the SFMTA website.
(g) Designated Manager.
(1) All Color Schemes shall designate a natural person as a manager who shall serve as the central point of contact for all matters of regulatory compliance. This manager shall be an individual who has not had Motor Vehicle for Hire Permit issued by the SFMTA suspended or revoked in the past five years, except as otherwise approved in writing by the SFMTA. A Color Scheme may designate additional managers for specialized matters subject to the prior written approval of the SFMTA.
(2) The designated manager of a Color Scheme shall be the agent for service of process for the Color Scheme.
(3) Designation of a manager for purposes of this subsection 1106(g)(3) does not qualify the manager as Key Personnel for the Color Scheme.
(h) Staffing Requirements. Every Color Scheme shall employ some combination of qualified staff, contracted services and/or automated devices adequate to perform at least the following functions and provide the following capabilities:
(1) Receive inquiries about Found Property on a 24-hour basis.
(2) Receive and respond to communications and information requests from the SFMTA.
(3) Document and track all Found Property and turn it over to the Color Scheme's Dispatch Service for processing.
(4) Comply with all state laws regarding Found Property.
(i) Workers' Compensation Requirements. Color Scheme Permit Holders shall comply with all applicable state laws and regulations concerning Workers' Compensation.
(j) Paratransit Program Minimum Requirements. All Color Schemes must qualify for the Paratransit Program and must execute a contract with the Paratransit Broker defining the rights and obligations of the parties. Thereafter, each such Color Scheme shall operate at all times subject to the Paratransit Program Minimum Requirements set by the SFMTA, including any rules requiring the Color Scheme to maintain insurance in excess of the insurance requirements of this Article. Every contract entered into between a Color Scheme and a Driver or Medallion Holder affiliated with that Color Scheme shall require the Driver to operate at all times subject to the rules and regulations of the Paratransit Program.
(k) Vehicle Maintenance and Cleaning.
(1) Every Color Scheme shall provide Drivers free access to a facility that is adequate to thoroughly wash all affiliated vehicles and that is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to environmental and zoning requirements.
(2) When a Color Scheme receives notice of a problem with the equipment of a vehicle affiliated with that Color Scheme, the Color Scheme and the Medallion Holder are jointly and severally responsible for compliance with all of the following requirements:
(A) Ensuring that all equipment on the vehicle that is required by this Article or by the Paratransit Broker is working properly.
(B) Taking out of service and repairing any vehicle immediately if the failure of any equipment presents a safety issue, if communications equipment is not in working order, or if the Taximeter seal is broken, removed, destroyed, marred or otherwise tampered with.
(3) The Color Scheme with which a vehicle is affiliated and the Medallion Holder are jointly and severally responsible for complying with any written order issued by the San Francisco Department of Public Health that relates to a Motor Vehicle For Hire.
(4) When a Color Scheme receives notice from a Driver assigned to a Taxi or Ramp Taxi vehicle that any equipment in or on that vehicle is unsafe, the Color Scheme is required to promptly provide the Driver with another Taxi or Ramp Taxi vehicle that is in compliance with this Article.
(5) Unattended Vehicles. Every Color Scheme shall ensure that no Taxi vehicle that is affiliated with such Color Scheme is left unattended on a public street for more than four hours.
(l) Spare Vehicles.
(1) A spare vehicle may operate with a Medallion from a Taxi or Ramp Taxi only when necessary to replace temporarily disabled Taxi vehicles. During any time a spare vehicle is operating, the vehicle it is replacing shall be available for inspection by the SFMTA.
(2) Each Color Scheme shall be issued a unique series of “spare numbers” for spare vehicles operating at that Color Scheme.
(3) Color Schemes may not operate or allow another entity or individual to drive or operate a spare vehicle, unless such vehicle is using a Medallion which is not in use in any other vehicle. Any Color Scheme found to be violating this Section shall be deemed to be operating a vehicle without a permit. Each day of unauthorized operation under this Section shall be a separate offense.
(4) All spare vehicles shall be equipped with functional In-Taxi Equipment.
(m) Reduced Emissions by Color Scheme. Each Color Scheme Permit Holder shall maintain average per vehicle greenhouse gas emissions at a level set by the Department of the Environment to achieve the goal of a 20% reduction in taxi fleet greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels. For the purpose of this requirement, Ramp Taxis shall not be included in calculation of the Color Scheme’s average per vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.
(n) Information Required to be Provided or Posted. All Color Schemes shall provide the following information to Drivers and Color Scheme employees by either delivering copies, paper or electronic, or posting the information at their place of business in a place where it is easily visible to Drivers and Color Scheme employees:
(1) Certificate of Worker’s Compensation. A copy of a current and valid Certificate of Worker’s Compensation Insurance and information about how to file a claim.
(2) Gate Fees. The current amounts charged for Gate Fees, including the amount charged for each available shift over the seven days of the week.
(3) Information Provided by SFMTA. The SFMTA may require a Color Scheme to distribute designated materials to each affiliated Driver, and may require the Color Scheme to obtain written acknowledgments of receipt from affiliated Drivers, within a time period specified by SFMTA.
(o) Required Notifications.
(1) Upon request from the SFMTA, each Color Scheme must provide a report to the SFMTA listing each accident that occurred during the period specified, involving any Taxi or Ramp Taxi affiliated with the Color Scheme and resulting in property damage or bodily injury. Color Schemes must retain any report provided to SFMTA pursuant to this subsection (o)(1) for at least five years.
(2) Color Schemes must notify the SFMTA in advance of any change in the name, address, or telephone number under which taxi service is provided by the Color Scheme. A change of name or address requires the prior approval of the SFMTA.
(3) Color Schemes have an affirmative obligation to report to the SFMTA any actual knowledge that a Driver is engaged in the sale, use, or possession of drugs or alcohol in a Taxi or Ramp Taxi vehicle.
(4) Color Schemes must notify the SFMTA when Found Property is returned to its owner.
(5) Death of Medallion Holder. Upon receiving notice of the death of a Medallion Holder affiliated with or employed by a Color Scheme, the Color Scheme must notify the SFMTA within 14 calendar days of receipt of the notice of the death.
(A) Non-Transferable Medallion. If the deceased Medallion Holder held a Non-Transferable Medallion, then the Color Scheme must return the Medallion within 14 calendar days of notice to the SFMTA. The SFMTA, may, in its discretion, extend the deadline for return of the Medallion to the SFMTA if it determines that such an extension would be in the public interest. During any such period of extension, in lieu of making medallion lease payments to the former Medallion Holder, the Color Scheme shall pay to the SFMTA a monthly fee of $750 beginning as of the 15th day following the notice of death and until such date as the SFMTA requires the return of the Medallion.
(B) Transferable Medallion. If the deceased Medallion Holder held a Transferable Medallion, the Color Scheme must return the Medallion to SFMTA in accordance with Section 1116(n).
(p) Color Scheme Obligations Related To Drivers.
(1) Each Color Scheme shall ensure that every affiliated Driver holds a valid A-Card.
(2) A Color Scheme shall issue receipts for any payments received from any Driver. A Color Scheme shall accept payment of Gate Fees by credit or debit card, and shall impose no charge or fee on Drivers who pay their Gate Fees by credit or debit card.
(3) A Color Scheme shall offer cashiering services, through a third-party merchant account holder that conforms to PCI DSS standards, to any Driver for credit and debit card transactions collected by that Driver as payment of taxi fare while that Driver was driving a vehicle affiliated with that Color Scheme. A Color Scheme may charge a Driver a fee for the cashiering service, which shall not exceed 3.5 % of the total amount of the credit or debit card transactions presented to the Color Scheme. A Color Scheme must require its third-party merchant account holder to deposit the proceeds of the Driver’s credit and debit card transactions, minus the fee of up to 3.5%, in an account of the Driver’s choice within one business day. A Color Scheme may not require a Driver to use its merchant account holder, and may impose no charge for credit and debit cashiering services in addition to the 3.5% fee on Drivers who choose to use the Color Scheme’s third-party merchant account holder to cash credit and debit card payments.
(4) Each Color Scheme shall inform every Driver of the applicable state and federal laws governing maximum driving hours for the operators of a commercial passenger-carrying vehicles, and must inform every Driver of the Driver’s obligation to comply with such laws.
(q) Taxi Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy; Policy.
(1) Color Schemes must comply with all relevant provisions of the Taxi Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, including but not limited to the following:
(A) Removing a Taxi Driver from their duties temporarily as provided by the Policy after a test demonstrating that the Taxi Driver has a confirmed alcohol concentration of greater than 0.02 and less than .04;
(B) Referring and transporting Drivers for reasonable suspicion testing in conformance with requirements of the Policy, and paying the costs of such testing;
(C) Referring and transporting Drivers for post-accident testing in conformance with the requirements of the Policy, and paying the costs of such testing;
(D) Ensuring that at least one current on-site employee has received two hours of post-accident testing training and reasonable suspicion testing training within the past twelve months. Training shall be provided by the SFMTA’s contractor at the Color Scheme’s expense;
(E) Providing all Drivers with educational materials provided by the SFMTA related to the Policy and materials explaining the Color Scheme’s policy regarding use of drugs and alcohol; and
(F) Maintaining the confidentiality of any records related to the results of drug and alcohol tests of Drivers administered under the Policy.
(2) A Color Scheme having actual knowledge that a Driver has tested positive for drugs or alcohol under the Taxi Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy shall not permit the Driver to operate a Taxi or Ramp Taxi until such time as the Driver has been cleared to return to work by the SFMTA under the provisions of the Policy.
(3) No Color Scheme having actual knowledge that a Driver has used and is currently under the influence of alcohol or Prohibited Drugs shall permit that Driver to operate or continue to operate a Taxi or Ramp Taxi.
(4) A Color Scheme must report to the SFMTA contact person identified in the Policy any referral of a Driver for reasonable suspicion or post-accident testing under the Policy, and must do so within eight hours of the referral.
(r) Found Property.
(1) Color Scheme Permit Holders shall take reasonable measures to attempt to return Found Property to its rightful owner in a timely fashion. If the owner cannot be found, the property shall be held for safekeeping for a period of not less than 120 days. A receipt shall be issued to the Driver for each item turned in.
(2) If the Found Property is currency, is of the value of $100 or more, is either a serialized item or an electronic device or contains owners identification information, within 30 calendar days the Color Scheme Permit Holder or the designee shall transfer the property to the SFMTA.
(3) Color Scheme Permit Holders shall advise passengers claiming to have lost property of value in a taxicab, to make a lost property police report if their property has not been found. Color Schemes shall not inform customers to call 311 to report or recover Found Property.
(s) Dissolution Plan. Any Color Scheme that will be terminating its business operations as a Color Scheme and surrendering its permit shall file a dissolution plan with the SFMTA at least 30 days prior to the date that the Color Scheme anticipates that it will cease to respond to requests for taxi service. The dissolution plan shall include but not be limited to plans for the disposition of records and preservation of Waybills and Driver Rosters, Driver and Medallion Holder files and Leases, handling Found Property, notifying the public of the termination in service and contact information for future inquiries. The Color Scheme shall also participate in an exit interview with the City’s Paratransit Broker at least 30 days prior to the date the Color Scheme anticipates that it will cease to participate in the Paratransit Program.
(t) Insurance Requirements. (Reserved)
(SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 09-23, 2/23/2009; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 09-077, 5/19/2009; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 09-104, 6/16/2009; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 09-183, 10/20/2009; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 10-056, 4/20/2010; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 10-103, 7/6/2010; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 12-078, Ad. 6/5/2012, Eff. 7/6/2012; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 12-111
, Ad. 8/21/2012, Eff. 9/21/2012; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 13-230
, Ad. 10/15/2013, Eff. 11/15/2013; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 14-005
, Ad. 1/7/2014, Eff. 2/7/2014; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 15-036
, Ad. 3/3/2015, Eff. 4/2/2015; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 15-143, Ad. 1020/2015, Eff. 11/20/2015; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 170103-004, Ad. 1/3/2017, Eff. 2/3/2017; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 170404-040, Ad. 4/4/2017, Eff. 5/5/2017; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 181016-143, Ad. 10/16/2018, Eff. 11/16/2018; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 210907-105, Ad. 9/7/2021, Eff. 10/8/2021)