City's Taxi Program Goes Electronic; Paper Coupons Invalid After July 1

This is a press release from the city of West Hollywood:

The City of West Hollywood’s Taxi Coupon Program will convert to an electronic fare card system beginning Monday, July 1, 2013. The card system will be similar to that used by the City of Los Angeles Cityride program and the Access Services Card. The new Taxi Program cards will be plastic, and will have customer’s names on them. Everyone will need to shift to the new card system by Monday, July 1, after which all remaining coupons will expire.

The major difference between the old system and the new system is that instead of paying with coupons, customers will have fare values deposited directly onto their card. When taking a taxi trip, the fare will be automatically deducted from a customer’s Taxi Program account.

Here’s an overview of how the new Taxi Program will work:

• At the beginning of a trip, hand the taxi driver the Taxi Program card. The card will be returned at the end of the trip. The driver may also ask for photo ID.
• The card may be used for fare only. It may not be used to tip the driver.
• Keep the card. It will be needed for every taxi trip.
• Passengers will get a receipt from the taxi driver for the trip. The receipt will also show the amount remaining on the Taxi Program card. The balance remaining on the card may also be checked by calling (310) 981-9303.

Just as with the old system, passengers will call the same taxi companies and ask for a “West Hollywood” taxi. The maximum amount per trip for a single passenger shall not exceed $14. Two cards can be used to share a fare of up to $28.

New cards will be mailed to current program participants in late June. Current Taxi Program customers will continue to write checks in the amount of $8 payable to the West Hollywood Taxi Program, and mail them to P.O. Box 74487, Los Angeles, CA, 90004. Please remember to write the code ID on the check memo line. On July 1, 2013, $28 of fare value will be added to the Taxi Program cards. New applicants may download an application form and get more information about eligibility on our Taxi Coupon Subsidy Page or call (323) 848-6510.

For general information, about the West Hollywood Taxi Program, please call (310) 981-9303. For the deaf and hard of hearing, please call (323) 848-6496.