Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Passengers Via Public Motor Vehicles

Regulation Authority:

R.I.G.L. §39-1-15, 39-3-33, 39-14.1-1, 39-14.1-6, 39-14.1-8 and 42-35-3

Purpose and Reason:

The proposed regulations respond to a 2012 legislative mandate in which Rhode Island General Law §39-14.1-6 was amended to require the Division to establish minimum allowable charges for transportation services provided by public motor vehicles (PMV). Additionally, Rhode Island General Law §39-14.1-1(7) was amended to require that “All vehicles operated under this chapter shall conform to the specifications established by the Division”. The final rule differs from the draft with the inclusion of several comments and recommendations made prior to and during the 8/14/13 hearing. These changes include: re-wording of the definition of “Into Service” A(15)and in the "Waivers" section of C(8)a)to be compatible with the provisions of C8); deletion of language defining stretch limousines; modification of language in E(2)to allow a PMV certificate holder to identify all of the vehicles that may be used for a planned service rather than a single specific vehicle; and an amendment to G(8) to ban all smoking in PMV's to comply with RI Department of Health workplace regulations.