Golf carts as taxis in toledo

http://toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/tt.pl/article/209979/28Feb2017/Golf_carts_downtown

my mar 1, 2017 post at toledotalk.com

From the Blade article:

Proposed rules of the road

Golf carts and low-speed vehicles would be allowed on public streets within designated areas of Point Place, the Old West End, the Warehouse District, and downtown under a proposal being considered by Toledo City Council.

• Owners or operators of any golf cart or low-speed vehicle to pay a $25 registration fee and carry proof of insurance
• The vehicle can only be operated on streets with a 35 mph speed limit or less
• The driver must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license
• The vehicle must have turn signals, two headlights, a horn, at least one working brake light, tail lights, a rear view mirror, a windshield, one seat belt per occupant, child safety seats and booster seats for children in need of those, and an illuminated license plate.

More from the article:

Jeff Jones, who spends his days painting Jeeps at the Toledo Assembly Complex, has been eagerly waiting to launch a business that will have taxi golf carts crisscrossing the streets of downtown. Mr. Jones lives downtown.

Councilman Lindsay Webb pitched the idea in December when she asked for a pilot program to run from April 1 to Dec. 31, 2017, in Point Place and the Old West End. Her proposed ordinance has since been stuck in committee.

Since then, the idea has been expanded to also include downtown, the Warehouse District, and a stretch that runs from the Old West End to the Toledo Museum of Art.

The most recent proposal, which will be discussed by council’s committee of the whole today [Feb 28, 2017], would authorize a pilot program to run from April 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. Data collected during the pilot program would be used to determine if it could be expanded to more neighborhoods, the legislation states.

---

my mar 2, 2017 comment:

Is the insurance cost lower for the downtown Toledo pedicab drivers versus what golf cart taxi drivers would pay?

http://www.glasscitypedicabs.com - I think that they started peddling people around downtown Toledo in 2011. And they are still operating.

July 2012 Blade story City council ponders new rules for pedicabs

Is it a bicycle? Is it a taxi? Nope, it's both. With more pedicabs anticipated to hit the streets, the city is looking to revamp its 15-year-old regulations for the vehicles.

City council is to vote Tuesday [July 2012] on the new rules, which include requiring owners and operators to apply for permits, obtain $1 million liability insurance, and add safety features such as headlights and taillights to the pedicabs. The new rules also require background checks for pedicab drivers.

[Pedicabs] serve primarily as a transportation option for people looking to travel distances that are a little far to walk but don't warrant a regular taxi cab.

Couldn't that last sentence apply to golf cart taxis, especially if someone wants to get from one point to another faster due to a little iffy weather?

With 3 million people soon working in downtown Toledo, is it possible that some workers might want to dine for lunch at one of the 10,000 thousand eateries located on both sides of the river, but it's a little too far to walk, and it's still too close to make it worthwhile to drive, which might mean a golf cart taxi could be a viable option?

---

Per the mention of Nashville above, http://joyrideus.com operates in multiple cities, including Nashville. It's probably a bit more sophisticated than what we might see in Toledo. JoyRide provides mobile apps.

Article

First came the pedal taverns, followed by the pedi-cabs. Now, golf carts are the latest form of alternative transportation whisking tourists up and down Nashville city streets.

One local company, bolstered by new Metro regulations that passed last month to govern the service, sees an opportunity to be on the forefront of a new industry – “micro-transportation.”

The idea is simple: create a low-cost, low-barrier transportation option for three- to five-minute rides, covering distances that are too close for taxis, but too far to walk.

Sizemore has plans to get more locals riding this year by tackling a much-talked about issue: parking.

The company is entirely tip-based, meaning there is no base fee for a ride. Like Uber, Joyride takes a certain percentage of drivers’ tips to maintain the golf carts, run a dispatch system and handle the Metro permitting process, required under the new regulations that passed.

The regulations also require the golf carts to be inspected annually, have blinkers and tail lights, and seat belts for all passengers. And, drivers must pass background checks and training similar to those required of Metro taxi drivers.

Obviously, it's invalid to compare Toledo to Nashville, but a growing downtown Toledo should be able to offer and support multiple types of transportation, such as a golf cart tax service.

Maybe the time is ripe for the rickshaw too? These entrepreneurs made it work.

---

Per the mention of Charlotte above, http://cruisecarts.com

It’s simple… Cruise Carts is a Free, Green & Safe ride in and around Charlotte, NC. Our eco-friendly, advertiser-driven golf cart shuttle service is your solution to getting around town.

Cruise Carts frequents the exciting, high traffic entertainment & historic districts throughout Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods.

News article CruiseCarts.

Adams and Allen are a part of a network of friends that are entrepreneurial minded and experienced marketing professionals. One of these friends, Torrie Savage, was working with a client with a rickshaw business, and that’s when Dustin first got his idea. Realizing that he could reinvent the concept of the rickshaw rides, Adams began conceptualizing a business based on an advertising driven golf cart service.

The focus of the service is to provide free, green and safe rides around Charlotte. The rides are free due to sponsors that advertise on the carts. The carts are 100% electric and the 4 passenger carts adhere to 35 mph driving zones and are street-legal.

Wednesday through Sunday, the carts have set routes around the city and are easily visible during the weekends near areas with high nightlife traffic. Those were the original intended paths, but, as always, new needs and opportunities have arisen.

Advertisers have the ability to get creative with the carts and thanks to the mobility of the carts, will reach a wider and more diverse audience. “People don’t buy products anymore, they buy experiences” Adams said.

JoyRide is tip-based, and CruiseCarts is ad-supported.

I have no idea of the proposed design for Toledo's golf cart taxis, but are the Charlotte golf carts tacky? Our buses have advertising.

I assume one without advertising:

---

And what about the insurance cost for HandleBar Toledo?

It's a pedalpub. Up to 16 passengers can drink alcohol and dance with most having the ability to peddle the vehicle.

You can imagine the difficulty we had finding insurance for this thing in America, so the rules are strictly enforced.

Must be 21 to drink alcohol at bars, but we do allow 18yr olds to ride along. Sorry, our insurance policy does not allow children to ride.

The HandleBar carries 16 passengers maximum, plus the Pilot, the Bar Handler. We cannot accommodate any more than 16 per bike due to insurance reasons.

Anyway, there are 12 “BarStools” total (6 on each side) but only 10 total pedaling seats, (5 on each side). If you look at the pictures of the Pedal Pub you’ll notice 2 of the “Bar Stools” don’t have pedals below them because they’re over the rear wheels.

There is also a bench in the back of The HandleBar that seats three for people who want a rest or would rather just relax. The last spot is in the middle of The HandleBar for the group “bartender” (if you want one) – often the middle of the bike also turns into a dance floor.

As far as a minimum number, we recommend a minimum of 6 people to rent The HandleBar. (There are 10 “pedaling” seats, so 10 is actually ideal if everyone wants to pedal the entire time)

We call the driver The Bar Handler. Our insurance provider requires it. The Bar Handler. If you act in a dangerous manner, you’ll be asked to get off and find your own way home.

Is it harder for a golf cart tax service to get insurance compared to a group peddling and booze drinking vehicle?