Featured image: “Gas” by Savannah artist Julia Licht
By Eric Curl
Feb 23, 2025 – The city of Savannah is set to implement updated regulations pertaining to taxi operations, the first major update since 2016.
The planned changes come during a recent resurgence in the number of registered taxis locally following a sharp drop that city officials attributed to the expansion of rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. Savannah’s registered taxi fleet declined from more than 250 vehicles in 2012 to fewer than 50 in 2022, according to a memo City Manager Jay Melder recently sent to the city council. The number of taxis in operation has since grown to more than 75 due to the growth of small taxi companies with one to three vehicles, along with the continued expansion of tourism in the region, Melder reported.
Melder said the proposed changes are meant to “ensure a fair, competitive, and sustainable taxi industry that meets the needs of both residents and visitors.”
Meanwhile, state law prohibits the city from regulating rideshare services, according to Press Secretary Joshua Peacock.
The revised ordinance increases per-mile meter rates by 10%-20%, bringing them in line with what is permitted by the state. While the new rates represent the maximum allowable charges, taxi companies will retain the flexibility to offer lower fares to remain competitive with rideshare services, according to Melder’s memo.
The maximum meter rate shall be as follows:
- A rate of $3.23 for the first one-sixth of a mile;
- A rate of $.054 per one-sixth of a mile thereafter;
The proposed ordinance also includes updated driver requirements, stricter compliance and administrative processes. A restructuring of the code of conduct includes:
- A ban on lewd or offensive language directed at passengers.
- A prohibition on physical confrontations.
- A restriction against drivers bringing pets into their vehicles, with exceptions for service animals
The changes are scheduled to be considered by the Savannah City Council at their meeting on Thursday. Find the full agenda here. See who else is meeting and what is on the agenda this week at Meeting Agendas – Savannah Agenda.
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