Work with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to develop a west side taxi dispatch center to enable better taxi service for Sunset District residents and visitors. 

 

Our office engaged closely with SFMTA’s Taxi Services division for the past two years to analyze the feasibility of a west side taxi dispatch center. After a thorough analysis and engagement process, SFMTA has decided that this is not the most efficient or feasible option for improving taxi service on the west side.

 

Last year, our office hosted a Taxi and rideshare focus group to share with SFMTA the challenges our residents face when attempting to use taxis on the west side. Some of the concerns residents shared include:

 

• Taxis do not show up when called;

• Taxis will refuse service when they find out a passenger is going to the west side; and

• Taxis are not as easy to use as ridesharing services.

 

Participants living closer to 19th Avenue indicated they had more positive experiences using taxis as compared to those living closer to Ocean Beach.

 

Moving forward, SFMTA Taxi Services will develop a plan with a timeline in conjunction with the Taxi Task Force to improve taxi service to the outlying neighborhoods, including the west side. They will also decide to either install taxi stands or propose an alternative solution. This item was discussed at the July 8, 2015 Taxi Task Force Agenda. SFMTA will report back to our office after that meeting, and provide a more definitive timeline afterwards.