(a) General rule.--In addition to the powers conferred upon the authority by other provisions of this title, the authority is empowered to issue, suspend, cancel or revoke certificates of public convenience in accordance with this subchapter and orders or regulations of the authority.

(b) Application.--Every application for a certificate of public convenience shall be made to the authority in writing, be verified by oath or affirmation and be in such form and contain such information as the authority may require.

(c) Procedure.--

(1) A certificate of public convenience to provide taxicab service within cities of the first class shall be granted by order of the authority without proof of the need for the service if the authority finds or determines that the applicant is capable of providing dependable taxicab service to the public according to the rules and regulations of the authority.

(2) The authority is authorized to issue the following:

(i) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (ii), a maximum of 1,600 certificates of public convenience and corresponding medallions for citywide call or demand service and an additional 15 certificates of public convenience and corresponding medallions restricted to wheelchair-accessible taxicab service as provided in this chapter.

(ii) Beginning June 1, 2013, and each June 1 thereafter until there is a total of 1,750 certificates of public convenience and corresponding medallions, the maximum number of certificates of public convenience and corresponding medallions for citywide call or demand service shall be increased by 15. The authority, in its discretion, may issue the certificates and medallions authorized by this subparagraph with special rights, privileges and limitations applicable to issuance and use as it determines necessary to advance the purposes of this chapter and may issue the certificates and medallions authorized by this subparagraph in stages.

(2.1) The authority may issue no more than six certificates of public convenience for non-citywide call or demand service in any city of the first class, subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the authority.

(3) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General Assembly to regulate the provision of taxicab service within cities of the first class in such a manner that any certificate of public convenience hereinafter granted by order of the authority may, in addition to any other conditions imposed by the authority, require that at least 40% of such trips of such taxicab service shall be derived from such service provided to and from points within specific geographical areas to be determined by the authority as being in the public interest. The authority shall have the power to rescind or revoke any certificate of public convenience granted to any existing holder or any new recipient for the operation of taxicabs within a city of the first class whenever it is shown that the holder of the certificate is not operating the taxicabs on an average of 50% of the time over any consecutive three-month period.

(4) The authority shall have the authority to grant immediate temporary certificates of public convenience for taxicab service within cities of the first class. Such temporary certificates are subject to further investigation before a permanent certificate shall be granted by the authority.

(5) The transfer of a certificate of public convenience, by any means or device, shall be subject to the prior approval of the authority which may, in its sole or peculiar discretion as it deems appropriate, attach such conditions, including the appropriate allocation of proceeds, as it may find to be necessary or proper.

(6) A certificate of public convenience to convey or transmit to and from taxicabs messages or communications within cities of the first class through the use of centralized dispatch systems shall be granted by order of the authority if the authority finds that the applicant is capable of providing dependable service according to the rules and regulations of the authority.

(July 16, 2004, P.L.758, No.94, eff. imd.; July 5, 2012, P.L.1022, No.119, eff. imd.; July 9, 2013, P.L.455, No.64, eff. imd.)

2013 Amendment. Act 64 amended subsec. (c)(2.1).

2012 Amendment. Act 119 amended subsecs. (a) and (c).

2004 Amendment. Act 94 reenacted and amended section 5711.

2004 Unconstitutionality. Act 230 of 2002 was declared unconstitutional. City of Philadelphia v. Commonwealth, 838 A.2d 566 (Pa. 2003).

Cross References. Section 5711 is referred to in sections 5706, 5707, 5710, 5714, 5717 of this title.