D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 31, r. 31-1603

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 31-1603 - TELEPHONE DISPATCH SERVICES - OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
1603.1

Each telephone dispatch service shall operate in compliance with this title and other applicable laws.

1603.2

Each telephone dispatch service shall be licensed to do business in the District of Columbia.

1603.3

Each gratuity charged by a telephone dispatch service shall comply with the definition of "gratuity".

1603.4

Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with the requirements for passenger rates and charges set forth in § 801.

1603.5

Each telephone dispatch service shall provide a passenger seeking wheelchair service with such service, when available, and if not available through the telephone dispatch service, shall make reasonable efforts to assist the passenger in locating available wheelchair service through another source within the District.

1603.6

Where a telephone dispatch service shares a request for wheelchair service with another person, the passenger's destination shall not be provided.

1603.7

Each telephone dispatch service shall maintain a customer service telephone number for passengers with a "202" prefix or a toll-free area code, posted on its website, which is answered or replied to promptly during normal business hours.

1603.8

Each telephone dispatch service shall maintain a website with current information that includes:

(a) The name of the telephone dispatch service;
(b) Contact information for its bona fide administrative office or registered agent authorized to accept service of process;
(c) Its customer service telephone number or email address, and;
(d) The following statement prominently displayed:

Click here to view image

and

(e) A link to§ 801 allowing passengers to view applicable rates and charges.
1603.9

Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with §§ 508 through 513.

1603.10

Each telephone dispatch service shall provide its service throughout the District.

1603.11

Each telephone dispatch service shall perform the service agreed to with a passenger in a dispatch, including picking up the passenger at the agreed-upon time and location, except for a bona fide reason specified by § 819.5 or other applicable provision of this title.

1603.12

Protection of certain information relating to passenger privacy and safety.

(a) A telephone dispatch service shall not:
(1) Release information to any person that would result in a violation of the personal privacy of a passenger or that would threaten the safety of a passenger or an operator; or
(2) Permit access to real-time information about the location, apparent gender, or number of passengers awaiting pick up by a person not authorized by the telephone dispatch service to receive such information. Where a telephone dispatch service shares a request for wheelchair service with another person pursuant to§ 1603.5, the passenger's destination shall not be provided.
(b) This subsection shall not limit access to information by the Office or a District enforcement official.
1603.13

A telephone dispatch service shall not transmit to the operator any information about the destination of a trip, except for the jurisdiction of the destination, until the trip has been booked. Where a telephone dispatch service shares a request for wheelchair service with another person pursuant to § 1603.5, the passenger's destination shall not be provided.

1603.14

Each telephone dispatch service shall store its business records in compliance with industry best practices and all applicable laws, make its business records related to compliance with its legal obligations under this title available for inspection and copying as directed by the Office, and retain its business records for five (5) years.

1603.15

Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with all applicable provisions of this title and other laws regulating origins and destinations of trips, including all reciprocal agreements between governmental bodies in the Washington Metropolitan Area governing public vehicle-for-hire service such as those in § 828.

1603.16

A telephone dispatch service shall not transmit to the operator any information about the destination of a trip, except for the jurisdiction of the destination, until the trip has been booked.

1603.17

Each telephone dispatch service shall store its business records in compliance with industry best practices and all applicable laws, make its business records related to compliance with its legal obligations under this title available for inspection and copying as directed by the Office, and retain its business records for five (5) years.

1603.18

Each telephone dispatch service shall comply with all applicable provisions of this title and other laws regulating origins and destinations of trips, including all reciprocal agreements between governmental bodies in the Washington Metropolitan Area governing public vehicle-for-hire service such as those in § 828.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 31, r. 31-1603

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 4430 (May 2, 2014); as Amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 147 (January 2, 2015); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 338 (1/8/2016)
Authority: Sections 8(c)(2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (19) and (20), 14, 20 and 20 a of the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985 ("Establishment" Act), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§50-307(c)(2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (19) and (20) (2012 Repl. & 2013 Supp.); D.C. Official Code §50-313 (2012 Repl. & 2013 Supp.); D.C. Official Code §50-319 (2012 Repl. & 2013 Supp.); and D.C. Official Code §50-320 (2012 Repl. & 2013 Supp.)); D.C. Official Code § 47 -2829 (b), (d), (e), (e-1), and (i) (2012 Repl. & 2013 Supp.).