Medallion holders urge board to consider ADA implications as general public comment focuses on taxi medallions

During the meeting’s general public comment period, several taxi medallion holders and drivers addressed the board about the value and treatment of taxi medallions and how ADA-related accommodations had been handled.

Charles Rathbone, a medallion holder, disputed characterizations that medallions are worthless and cited trial testimony: "Mr. Swise ... estimated the current value of the medallion to be $30,000," while a city expert estimated "$130,000," Rathbone said, urging the board to be mindful of potential loss of a sole remaining asset for elderly or disabled drivers.

Marcela Fonseca, who identified herself as a career cab driver and K medallion holder, implored commissioners not to "give in to those clever arguments by city attorneys who took the position to revoke taxi permits from disabled medallion holders," and urged the board to protect permit holders who rely on medallions for income and retirement.

Other callers and speakers referenced past SFMTA sales programs for K medallion holders and suggested that code changes and enforcement practices dating to 2015 have had retroactive impacts on disabled permittees. Speakers asked the board to keep such broader consequences in mind when related appeals or hearings come before the board.

Board staff reminded the public that appeals referenced during general comment were not the matters before the board tonight and that factual statements about pending appeals should not be considered outside of the appropriate agenda items.