NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans announced that the application timeline for new Accessible Taxicab Certificates of Public Necessity and Convenience (AT CPNCs) will open on Monday, February 1, 2016, and close on Friday, March 4. AT CPNCs will expand transportation options for people with disabilities by requiring operation of taxicabs, which meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Applications will be available for download or in person pick-up at the City’s Department of Safety and Permits on the 7th floor of City Hall beginning Monday, January 25. All specific requirements of the AT CPNC program are outlined in Sections 162-200 through 162-203 of the New Orleans City Code.
Applications must be returned in person to the City’s Department of Safety and Permits at City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., 7th Floor, no later than close of business on Friday, March 4.
The initial issuance and renewal fees for AT CPNCs is $300.
The Department will hold the required public hearing for CPNC issuance on Thursday, March 18. As a condition of awarding an AT CPNC, the applicant must have the vehicle in service for passengers no later than Thursday, June 30.
AT CPNC operators/ drivers function like a standard taxicab, but they must give priority to service requests from people with disabilities and those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. AT drivers cannot accept another fare while en route to a service call by a person with a disability.
This application window provides a new opportunity for drivers to hold a CPNC and operate their own vehicle. Pursuant to the Code, no person or company may have an interest in more than 10 AT CPNCs.
Drivers must also be pre-approved for the purchase of an accessible vehicle, which complies with ADA guidelines regarding door heights, interior clearances and other specifications. Vehicles that have been modified or custom-built must fully comply with all relevant Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Vehicle models must also be approved by the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Citizens with Disabilities. Current approved vehicle models and upfitters are included on the City’s Accessible Taxicab webpage.
Learn about eligibility and vehicle requirements here
