The Times They (Likely) Are A-Changin’
January 23, 2015
On November 19, 2014, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“Commission”) entered a Final Rulemaking Order to amend its current motor carrier passenger regulations to replace the vehicle age limitation for limousines, among other proposals. While the Commission initially proposed to replace the eight year vehicle age limitation for limousines with a 200,000 vehicle mileage limitation, its final-form regulations propose a 350,000 mile vehicle mileage limitation. For taxis, the Commission ultimately proposed to replace an eight year vehicle age limitation with a dual age/mileage limitation at ten model years or 350,000 miles, whichever comes first. In explaining the revisions it had made in response to the comments it received in response to its Proposed Rulemaking Order issued in April of 2013, the Commission cited the following: industry standards, improvements in safety technologies and features, and efficient and effective use of its resources in the regulation of taxis and limousines.
The Commission’s proposal would eliminate the vehicle list requirement and vehicle waiver program for both taxis and limos. Since the proposed amendments would eliminate the vehicle waiver program, are there any exceptions to the proposed age/mileage requirements? Significantly, the Commission proposed that the vehicle age limitation for taxis not apply to electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and vehicles utilizing alternative fuels.
When will the requirements for limos and taxis go in to effect? It is anticipated that the Final Rulemaking Order will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin in February. The regulations are slated to go in to effect six months after publication so the changes could be effective as early as August of this year. Of course, this timing could always change. If for some reason the regulations do not pass, carriers may submit a request via the vehicle waiver program for those vehicles outside the Commission’s current limitations. If the regulations do become effective, the vehicle waiver program will no longer exist and carriers will have to resort to filing a petition for waiver of Commission regulations; however, this process can be lengthy.
If you have any questions about the Final Rulemaking Order, please contact Carl Shultz at (717) 255-3742; cshultz@eckertseamans.com or Sarah Stoner at (717)237-6026; sstoner@eckertseamans.com.
This Eckert Seamans Energy and Utilities Blog is intended to keep readers current on matters affecting businesses and is not intended to be legal advice.