News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Office of Public Information -- Phone: (405) 521-4180 FAX (405) 521-6945

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick K. Petree Reference: TRN33098-22

Statewide Probe Hunts Passenger Transport Rules Violators

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has begun a statewide search for taxicabs and other motor vehicles that are transporting passengers in violation of state and commission license and liability insurance regulations.

Operators of taxis, vans and charter sedans up to six-person capacity that carry passengers for hire between incorporated cities and towns are required to have an intrastate motor carrier license and $100,000 of liability insurance. Larger vehicles have higher insurance requirements.

Passenger transport vehicles that are licensed by a city or town and operate only within that city or between the city and rural areas are exempt from commission license and insurance regulations.

Jerry Matheson, Transportation Division director, said the special emphasis search for rules violators responds to complaints filed with the Corporation Commission. He said motor carrier enforcement personnel throughout the state will check passenger motor carriers for licenses and proof of insurance and verify documents against a central registry of licensed motor carriers. They may also check advertisements to determine if a company is offering services it is not licensed to provide, he said.

The commission has filed contempt citations against two Oklahoma City companies for transporting passengers between Oklahoma City and other metropolitan area cities without Corporation Commission authority or proof of liability insurance. One company also was cited for advertising intercity transport services without a license to provide those services.

Hearings on those contempt cases are scheduled for April 21.

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