A.
The purposes of chapter 11.45 are to:
1.
Establish initial regulations to accommodate the entry of transportation network companies (TNCs) into the Anchorage area market.
2.
Acknowledge and legally enable the use of the common features of the technology innovation used by TNCs that have emerged in the passenger transportation services for hire industry.
3.
Empower passengers that use a TNC app on a smartphone or other device to solicit a prearranged ride, accept or reject service from the TNC drivers available, determine the origin and destination of the trip, and submit payments electronically without needing to directly engage the driver for payment processing.
4.
Provide the Municipality's Transportation Inspection Division flexibility to monitor TNC services and respond with policy directives necessary for protection of the public safety.
5.
Protect the safety of drivers, passengers and the public, and protect the public's interest with respect to fairness and disclosure in costs, quality of service, and reasonable safety standards for TNC services.
B.
The interpretation and application of this chapter shall be consistent with the following principles:
1.
TNC drivers shall have a background check that is reasonably likely to discover any disqualifying traffic and criminal offenses in a TNC driver's history in any jurisdiction.
2.
TNC passengers, drivers, and the public shall be protected from loss and injury by ensuring that the insurance coverage requirements for a TNC vehicle are comparable to the insurance requirements of other for-hire regulated vehicles.
(AO No. 2017-30, § 1, 3-21-2017)