Welcome to
Taxi Services New Driver Training
March 2023
WHO ARE WE?
SFMTA Taxi Services
administers and enforces the rules adopted by the
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors
for the San Francisco taxi industry
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote a vibrant taxi industry through intelligent regulation, enforcement and partnership. We champion:
Public Safety
Outstanding Customer Service
Economic and Environmental Sustainability
Accessibility
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!
SAN FRANCISCO TAXI INDUSTRY
• Taxi drivers are vital to San Francisco’s hospitality and tourism industry.
• Taxi drivers are the first point of contact with persons entering our beautiful city.
• Taxi drivers should act and be treated like respected professionals.
• Taxis are important to the goal of the SFMTA to reduce congestion and pollution
while freeing up curb space in our city.
• The city’s fleet of licensed cabs exceed clean-air vehicle standards –
drive a cab in one of the greenest taxi fleets in the United States!
ADVANTAGES OF BEING A TAXI DRIVER
It is a profession made up of experienced drivers
Paid the same day
Mentoring by experienced taxi drivers
Mandatory cameras in each taxi
2-Way radio for safety
Lease a car for a day/week/month(s)
Taxis may use most red transit-only lanes in the
city
Exempt from restricted turns on certain streets
Allowed to pick up people on the streets, street
hails!
Stage and pick up from designated taxi stands
throughout the city
Authorized to accept tips from your customers
Opportunity to provide Paratransit customer
service throughout the city
Special San Francisco International Airport
pick-up privileges
Training courses offered by taxi companies
Minimize wear and tear on your own vehicle
NEW DRIVER TRAINING CHECKLIST
STEP 1: REVIEW ON-LINE SAFETY AND TRAINING MATERIALS
“Vision zero” - taxicab urban driving safety video
Regulations for new drivers! Transportation code article 1100
How am I driving
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) rules
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) taxi driver training video
Paratransit service and rules
Taxis & bicycles, coexist
Transporting visually impaired people with service animals
Acknowledging review of on-line safety & training materials when submit the application
NEW DRIVER TRAINING CHECKLIST
STEP 2: REQUIRED FORMS
DMV printout showing proof of 1 year of driving history in the U.S.
Completed New Driver Application
Copies of your submitted Fingerprint and Drug Testing forms
STEP 3: SUBMIT THE REQUIRED FORMS
Between the hours of 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm,
Monday through Friday
SFMTA Customer Service Window
1 S. Van Ness Avenue, 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-701-4400
COMMON TAXI TERMS
• COLOR SCHEME, a business that has received a
permit from Taxi Services to operate a taxi company in
the City of San Francisco.
• TAXI STANDS, white curb space in the City of San
Francisco that has been designated for taxis only.
• A-CARD, both a driver’s permit and the card used to
access San Francisco Airport. The A-card authorizes
an individual driver to associate with a taxi company
and operate one of the taxi company’s taxis in the City
of San Francisco and the San Francisco Airport.
• MEDALLION, permit that authorizes a taxi to be in
service and available to pickup and deliver customers
for a fare.
• SOFT METER, App-based, time and distance plug
and play meter operated on a cell phone Operating
System.
• PARATRANSIT, the SFMTA program to provide transit
services for people unable to independently use public
transit because of a disability or disabling health
condition.
• IVR, Interactive Voice Response (Over the Phone),
Paper form used to process paratransit trips paid with
a debit card when the ITE is not working, If you can’t
get the “In Taxi Equipment” to work, ALWAYS use the
IVR!
• ITE, In Taxi Equipment Mounted to taxi dashboard
used to process fares. The ITE is the preferred
method of processing Paratransit fares, No rear seat
devices or Square® to process Paratransit fares.
• SFO, San Francisco International Airport.
IMPORTANT
REGULATIONS FOR NEW DRIVERS!
Transportation Code Article 1100
• SEC. 1105. GENERAL PERMIT CONDITIONS
• SEC. 1108. CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO DRIVER PERMITS
• SEC. 1118. REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FINES
• SEC. 1121. SUMMARY SUSPENSION OF PERMIT FOR HEALTH OR
SAFETY REASONS
• SEC. 1124. TAXI FARES AND FEES; GATE FEES
Note: Review each chapter highlighted above from Article 1100
SPEED LIMITS:
Most California freeways: 65 MPH
City streets unless otherwise posted: 25 MPH
School zones when children are present: 25 MPH
An uncontrolled intersection: 15 MPH
When a trolley or bus is stopped to load and unload passengers: 10 MPH
What do you do if the road is wet? Reduce speed
• RESPECT PEDESTRIANS IN CROSSWALKS!
• DO NOT cross over double-double yellow lines
• DRIVE DEFENSIVELY- not aggressively
How Am I Driving?
How Am I Driving?
• Statistics prove that taxi drivers are better drivers than the public, PLEASE continue to maintain
those excellent standards
• Accidents that are your fault and moving violations add points to your driving record and
can get you taken off the driver roster at your company
• Do not leave an unoccupied taxicab in a taxi zone during busy passenger loading times
• Do not refuse passengers. You must pick up any person who represents themselves “in a clean,
coherent, safe and orderly manner” going to a San Francisco destination or San Francisco
International Airport or Oakland International Airport.
• Do not leave a taxi vehicle parked on a public street for more than 4 hours
• You may use some red transit lanes whether or not you have passengers
• Once dispatched to a call from customer, you CANNOT accept any other fares while enroute to
the fare.
Customer Service and Public Safety
How We Receive Complaints and Compliments
• 311 operators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days
a year
• Every San Francisco taxi must have a 311 sticker in the rear of the
vehicle
• Operators take complaints, compliments, lost & found claims and any
other taxi related issues
• 311 can also be used by taxi drivers and you do not have to provide
your identity
San Francisco International Airport Rules
• If you pick up a “short” fare and get back to the airport within 2 hours, you
are allowed to jump most of the queue and quickly pick up a new fare.
• The posted speed limit on the lower level of SFO is 20 MPH.
• Taxi Drivers MAY NO T pick up passengers on the Departure level of the
airport.
• Taxi Drivers MAY NO T leave their vehicle unattended, except in one of
the four designated staging lots.
• Taxi Drivers MAY NO T charge a fee for dropping off passengers at SFO.
• All taxi drivers operating at the airport must have a A-CARD
• If you have an issue with your SMART A-CARD,
call (650) 821-2704
• Failure to comply with the Airport Rules and Regulations, could result
in a disciplinary action
• Taxi drivers MAY NOT pick up passengers from the Rental Car
Center at SFO
• Taxi drivers MUST OBEY requests of the Ground Transportation
Compliance officers at SFO
San Francisco International Airport Rules
SF PARATRANSIT PROGRAM
What is SF Paratransit?
• Service provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for
people whose disabilities prevent them from using regular transit.
• All Color Schemes (Taxi Companies) are required to participate in
the SF Paratransit Program must execute a contract with Paratransit
Broker and must abide by the rules and regulations of the program.
• Drivers must have Ramp certificate to operate ramp-taxi vehicles.
• Fares are paid using the San Francisco Paratransit Debit Card.
• Payment for rides works very similar to a credit card
All San Francisco Taxi Cabs are required to participate!
Ramp Taxi
SF Paratransit is not just Ramp Taxi Service.
Most SF Paratransit trips are provided to
ambulatory frail elders!
• Currently about 40 ramp taxi
vehicles
(among 100 ramp taxi
medallions)
equipped to provide
taxi service to wheelchair
users
• All ramp taxi drivers must have
a A-card and a ramp taxi
driver certificate
• If interested, talk to your color
scheme.
SF Paratransit Service
Area
DOES Include:
Daly City Bart, parts of Westlake, Cow
Palace, Treasure Island
DOES NOT Include:
Colma Cemeteries, Serramonte, Tanforan,
Seton Medical Center, Kaiser SSF or SFO
©2010 Google Maps
SF Paratransit Debit Cards
• NO FEES FOR SF PARATRANSIT TRANSACTIONS!
• You should be paid by your color scheme promptly
and in full.
• Most color schemes deduct Paratransit fares from the
gate fee, if receipt is signed.
Two Ways to Pay for a
SF Paratransit Trip
• ITE = In Taxi Equipment
• Mounted to taxi Dashboard
• Preferred method of processing Paratransit fares
• No rear seat devices or Square®
• IVR = Interactive Voice Response (Over Phone)
• Paper form
• If you can’t get the ITE to work, ALWAYS try the
IVR!
How to Pay for SF
Paratransit Trips & Tipping
After the trip, a SF Paratransit passenger will give
driver the debit card
• Paratransit transactions must be performed by the driver
through the dash-mounted ITE in the front of the vehicle
.
• Rear Seat devices may NOT be used.
• Drivers may ask the patron if they would like to add a tip
to the fare.
• You may not process a tip without permission.
• Tipping is NOT automatic or required. (TC 1108(e)(16)(37) )
• There is no CREDIT button – the sale is final once SALE is
pressed, and whether or not you turn in the receipt
More About Tipping with SF Paratransit
• You MUST have the SF Paratransit Passenger permission
• Computer-generated at 15%
• Rounds up to next 5 cents
• Maximum $4.00
• SF Paratransit Passenger may give you additional cash
• For excellent customer service
• If they have the means
Some SF Paratransit Trips Are NOT Allowed
Help us help YOU by reminding SF Paratransit Passengers
• Wait-trips - Trips where the
passenger asks you to make multiple
stops, for example: the bank, the post
office, and the drugstore.
• Round-Trips - Trips that begin &
end at the same location
• Fares over $55
• Flag Drops only
(with no distance)
• Extras - (parking fees or bridge tolls)
SF Paratransit
Debit Card Error Messages
Good Card – Bad Swipe
• DECLINED: ERROR USE IVR
Means the ITE communication failed. The card may still be good. Use IVR.
• CARD NOT VALID
Means the ITE did not recognize the card. It may or may not be a valid SF
Paratransit Debit Card. Re-swipe.
• DUPLICATE TRANSACTION
Means that sale has already been processed. You have been paid.
If you get any of these messages, try again using your ITE, or use the IVR
DO NOT ASK FOR CASH!
SF Paratransit
Debit Card Error Messages
Good Card – Bad Trip
• AMOUNT TOO LARGE – EXCEEDS ALLOWABLE LIMIT
• Any fare over $55, NOT including tip.
• If Wait or Round Trip, collect cash.
• NOT VALID TRIP
• Usually shows up as a flag drop with no distance
• OUT OF AREA
• When card is used outside the service area (San Francisco)
• If you think the fare was declined in error, always use the IVR
form.
SF Paratransit
Debit Card Error Messages
Bad Card
• INACTIVE CARD
• Usually means that the card has not been activated, or
has been replaced by a newer card.
• INSUF FUNDS
• COLLECT Alternate Method of payment for balance due, or
• Use IVR for balance due.
• OUT OF AREA (SF)
• TRIP CLOSED
• Another card already swiped
• These are the ONLY reasons you may ever ask a
patron for cash or credit card
SF Paratransit
Manual IVR Receipt
• You MUST carry IVR forms in your cab.
(TC 1108(e)(36))
• Get blank IVRs from your Dispatch
or Cashier
• Use IVRs whenever ITE:
• Can’t get a signal
• Not installed (report to your Mgmt!)
• See next slide for:
• “ITE ERROR MESSAGES”
• Fill out the IVR form completely including SF
Paratransit passenger’s signature!
SF Paratransit
IN TAXI EQUIPMENT, (ITE), Error Messages
SF Paratransit - Manual IVR Receipt
SF Paratransit
Fill Out IVR & Get Approval
VERY ($) IMPORTANT TO YOU !!
• Fill out IVR while SF Paratransit Passenger is still in cab so you can:
• Verify SF Paratransit debit card is ACTIVE & has FUNDS to pay
• SF Paratransit Passenger can sign & get copy OR you can ask for another card or cash!
• Call 877-738-2943 OR your Help Desk
• Listen carefully and follow the prompts…
• Know your Fleet #, Vehicle #, Driver # & metered amount
• Answer the “Is Tip Authorized” question: Y or N
• Write the provided Authorization # on the IVR
SF Paratransit
Additional IVR
Information
• When complete, have the SF
Paratransit Passenger sign
• Distribute the
completed/signed copies as
indicated on the side.
SF Paratransit
FRAUD: DON’T DO IT!
• We review ALL transactions, and we WILL catch anyone trying
to commit fraud.
• If caught committing or abetting fraud, you will not be
re-trained.
You may be prosecuted!
• In addition, if you see any SF Paratransit Passengers
committing fraud with the Paratransit card, please give us a
call, (415) 351-7052. They will be removed from the program
and may be prosecuted.
• DON’T ever take a photo of a SF Paratransit Debit card
Bicycle Safety
TAXIS & BICYCLES
COEXIST
Bicycle Safety
BICYCLES, TAXIS AND THE LAW
• CVC 21200: “ A person riding a bicycle … has all the rights and
is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a
vehicle…”
• CVC 21202: (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a
roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving
in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as
practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway…
Bicycle Safety
MAKING TURNS
• CVC 22100: (a) Right Turns. “Both the approach for a right-hand
turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to
the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway…”
• CVC 21717. “Whenever it is necessary for the driver of a motor
vehicle to cross a bicycle lane that is adjacent to his lane of travel to
make a turn, the driver shall drive the motor vehicle into the
bicycle lane prior to making the turn and shall make the turn
pursuant to Section 22100”
Bicycle Safety
BIKES & TURNING
In California, a bike lane is the right-most lane
Dashed lines mean that you may merge into the lane
Signal - merge when safe – make the turn
TURN FROM THE CURB!
Bicycle Safety
BIKE LANES
STANDARD DESIGNATED
PROTECTED
Bicycle Safety
BICYCLES
Top three causes of bike and car collisions:
• Unsafe Turning Without Signaling:
• Opening a Vehicle Door:
• Unsafe Speed:
Bicycle Safety
PASSENGER LOADING
CVC 22517: No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to
moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without
interfering with the movement of such traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open
upon the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than
necessary to load or unload passengers.
This is the 3rd leading cause of bicycle-related crash in San Francisco.
You are responsible for passengers.
CVC 21755
. (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle
upon the right only under conditions permitting that movement in safety.
Bicycle Safety
PASSENGER LOADING
Use the bike lane only as a last resort
Look for open curb space, taxi stand or side streets
If you must stop mid-block, pull all the way to parked cars or curb
Signal, check mirrors, enter bike lane when clear
Pull far enough over to prevent someone biking from riding curbside
Passengers should always use curbside door
Remember: you are liable and responsible for your passenger(s)
Don’t park - just loading or unloading of passenger(s)
Bicycle Safety
Passenger Loading: Non-Separated Bike Lanes
May enter a non-separated bike lane with
caution to drop off all customers (disabled
and non-disabled)
Using bike lanes as an absolutely last
resort.
Bicycle Safety
Passenger Loading: Separated Bike Lanes
Only drop off in a separated bike lane if you
have
disabled or elderly customers who
require direct access to the curb
You may only pick up in a separated bike lane
if the dispatcher tells you that
the customer is
disabled and must be picked up at a location
that is next to a separated bike lane.
Bicycle Safety
How to Safely Enter a Separated Bike Lane
Enter at the beginning of the block and
exit at the end of the block.
Enter slowly (under five mph) and use
your turn signal.
Do not attempt to drive in any of those
narrow separated bike lanes in Market
Street
Bicycle Safety
IMPORTANT POINTS!
That bike rider might be your next fare
Ride and drive predictably
Same rights, same rules
Turn from the curb
Look before opening doors
Transporting Visually-Impaired People and Service Animals
• You must accommodate service animals
• According to the American’s with Disabilities Act you may ask your
passenger the following two questions to find out if the animal
accompanying him or her is really a service animal?
Is your animal a service animal?
What service does it perform for you?
• You CANNOT ask any of the following questions:
If that is a service animal, may I see your
animal’s certificate card?
What is the nature of your disability, and how does
your service animal compensate for your disability?
What is the nature of your disability, and may I see a document to verify your
disability?
NEW DRIVER ACKNOWLEDGMENT
“Vision zero” - taxicab urban driving safety video
Transportation code article 1100
•
Sec. 1105. General permit conditions
•
Sec. 1108. Conditions applicable to driver permits
•
Sec. 1118. Revocation, suspension, and administrative fines
•
Sec. 1121. Summary suspension of permit for health or safety reasons
•
Sec. 1124. Taxi fares and fees; gate fees
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) rules
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) taxi driver training video
Paratransit service and rules
Transporting visually impaired people and service animals
Thank you !
We appreciate your service to the paratransit community & everyone else
YOU are an ambassador of San Francisco
We wish you Safety and Success !
