To: San Francisco Taxi Industry
From: Danny Yeung, Permits Manager, SFMTA Taxis, Access, and Mobility Services
Purpose
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has adopted updated city boundary lines to determine when the 150% Out-of-Town rate may be applied. These boundaries are now officially in use and reflected on the updated map. This update is part of our ongoing effort to ensure that taxi rates are applied consistently, transparently, in alignment with existing Transportation Code requirements, and is intended to reduce the 150% rate confusion and complaints between drivers and passengers.
Summary of Changes
The geographic boundary used to determine when a trip’s destination is more than 15 miles beyond San Francisco city limits has been revised.
- Previous Method: Boundaries were determined “as the crow flies” (straight-line distance).
- New Method: Boundaries are now based on a standardized 15-mile driving distance service area, measured using GIS software.
- The 15-mile measurement is now taken from the San Francisco city border for SF-origin trips and from the SFO Airport boundary for SFO-origin trips.
Rate Application Differences for SF vs. SFO Origin Trips
- Trips originating within San Francisco:
- The 150% rate applies when the destination is more than 15 driving miles beyond the edge of the San Francisco city border.
- Trips originating at SFO Airport:
- For trips requiring crossing the Golden Gate Bridge or the Bay Bridge, the 150% rate applies when:
- The trip requires crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, OR the Bay Bridge, (note: Treasure Island is the SF border)
AND
- The destination is more than 15 driving miles beyond the edge of the San Francisco city border.
- For trips that do not require crossing the Golden Gate Bridge or the Bay Bridge, the 150% rate applies when:
- The destination is not within San Francisco city limits, AND
- The destination is more than 15 driving miles beyond the SFO Airport boundary.
These distinctions are now clearly reflected in the updated boundary map.
The Updated Map and Rate Card are Planning Tools
The updated map and rate card are intended to serve as planning and reference tools for drivers, companies, and the public. They show where the 150% Out-of-Town rate is permitted under the Transportation Code.
However, the following remain true:
- The boundaries themselves are fixed and determine where the 150% rate may apply.
- The meter calculates the actual fare, including time, distance, and any applicable extras.
The boundaries establish whether the 150% Out-of-Town rate is allowed; the meter determines the amount.
What Remains Unchanged
- The underlying Transportation Code rules are not changing.
- Drivers shall, at the beginning of a trip, inform any passenger whose announced destination falls within the parameters of Section 1124(b)(3) that the fare to be charged will be 150% of the amount registered on the Taximeter.
- If Driver fails to notify Customer of charge, Driver shall refund Customer the difference in fare.
Required Actions
Drivers:
- Review the updated map and rate card.
- Understand when the 150% Out-of-Town rate applies for both SF and SFO Airport origins.
- Understand for SF-origin trips over the Bay Bridge, the SF border starts at Treasure Island
- Clearly inform passengers before the trip begins when the 150% rate applies.
Color Schemes:
- Distribute the updated map and rate card to all affiliated drivers.
- Ensure onboard rate-card materials and driver guidance are updated accordingly.
Dispatch Services and Dispatch App Providers:
- Update any software meters, in-app messaging, driver alerts, or rate-card tools to reflect the new boundaries.
- Ensure any trip-planning or fare-estimation tools reflect the updated 15-mile driving-distance logic.
Map and Rate Card Posting
The updated map and rate card will be available:
- On the SFMTA website
- From SFO Ground Transportation Unit (GTU) staff
- At the SFMTA Customer Service Window for pickup of printed cards
- Distributed directly to Color Schemes