I've de-Worded the comments, and paste them here as text. This is also a reminder about our meeting to finalize the platform plank this Thursday evening; I know of at least one other event at the same time, but it's important we all show up to get this done before we get too far into campaign season. JMC Gruberg's comments follow: D. Taxis and Paratransit Each taxi in San Francisco averages 18,200 trips per year for a cumulative total of 25 million rides. Taxis operate almost continuously; they therefore contribute less to most forms of air pollution than private automobiles, as cars produce more air pollution in the first half hour of operation. San Francisco's 1,381 cabs should thus be acknowledged as a vital part of the city's Transit-First policy. The San Francisco Green Party supports: 1. Creating a professional class of drivers through one of two options. The first option would be the creation of a municipal taxi service in which cabs are owned by the city and leased to drivers. Under such a system, drivers would be paid an hourly wage plus commission for any fares over 15 to 20 per shift in order to encourage efficiency. Under this system, drivers could also be brought into the city's benefits system. The second option would maintain the fleet of privately-owned vehicles but would charge a concession fee to owners of medallions. Under either system, drivers could be incorporated into the City and County Health Services and retirement system. Currently, drivers are considered independent contractors and must pay for their own health insurance. Comments: Since you're talking about municipalizing the taxi system, paying drivers and hourly wage, etc., it would be more accurate to say "cabs are owned by the city and driven by employee drivers." Under your second option, it may not be possible to bring drivers into the city retirement system. It might be better to say "Under either system, drivers could be provided city-sponsored health care and other benefits." 2. As long as taxis remain in private hands, maintain the gate cap that companies can charge drivers who rent vehicles. 3. Establish centralized dispatch. Currently cab companies, which do not own cabs themselves, are responsible for doing dispatch. However, in cab companies collect fees from drivers on a per-shift rather than per-customer basis, there is currently no direct incentive for cab companies to hire more dispatchers. Comments: It's not accurate to say that cab companies do not own cabs themselves. Most do. Better to say something like: "Currently cab companies either have their own dispatch service or affiliate with one . . . there is currently no direct incentive for cab companies to improve the efficiency of dispatch." 4. The City should subsidize taxis for the purpose of supplementing Muni. People who work odd hours need dependable and affordable transportation. Taxis can fulfill this need; in many cases, this would be cheaper for the city than expanding bus service along certain routes at certain times. 5. Incorporate taxis into any future local and regional Translink pass systems, to ease the transition from buses and BART to cabs. 6. Require taxis to take credit cards. Comment: So as to be clear that this burden is not falling on the driver, it might be better to say "Require all taxi companies to take credit cards." 7. Create cab stands at the termini of Muni lines, major transit junctions, commercial areas, and in parts of the city underserved by Muni OWL service and other forms of transit. Cab stands are good for drivers, riders and the environment. 8. Create transit-only streets that can be used by Muni and cabs. [JMC: overlaps with G.10] 9. Requiring that all cabs in operation by 2015 be low-emission or zero-emission vehicles. Comment: 2015 may be way too long. How about: "Requiring that all cabs be low-emission or zero-emission vehicles once such vehicles appropriate for taxi purposes become available." (Or maybe there's a better way to phrase this.) 10. Requiring that cabs be inspected a minimum of four times a year. The average cab in SF is driven about 100,000 miles per year, and cars that are tuned up generate less pollution. Comment: Four times a year may be excessive for a new vehicle. How about: "inspected a minimum of two times in the first year and thereafter four times a year." -- John-Marc Chandonia (jmc@sfgreens.org) http://www.dolorespark.org/