ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Montgomery County Council is expected to vote on two transportation-related bills Tuesday morning — one dealing with taxi operations, the other on predatory parking restrictions.
The county taxi bill will focus on helping cab drivers compete with Uber, Lyft and other transportation network companies. Since the state has acted to issue regulations on services such as Lyft and Uber, the county bill will not directly affect those car services.
The bill would slightly relax previous rules regarding taxi inspections, paper record keeping and licensing. Other regulations, such as lease agreements between individual drivers and cab companies, would be standardized under county direction.
The council will also vote on a bill designed to stop what’s known as “predatory” towing. Council members and the Office of Consumer Protection have expressed frustrations with towing practices.
The bill would require business owners to post parking signs with clear language regarding parking regulations. It would also ban the use of “spotters” — people who cruise area lots looking for violations and signal tow operators accordingly.
The full council will take up the bills during its 10 a.m. legislative session.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
