53 Pa. C.S. § 57A01

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-111

Section 57A01 - Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Authority." A parking authority of a city of the first class established and incorporated in accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. ch. 55 (relating to parking authorities).

"City." A city of the first class as defined by the Act of June 25, 1895 ( P.L. 275, No.188), entitled "An act dividing the cities of this state into three classes with respect to their population, and designating the mode of ascertaining and changing the classification thereof in accordance therewith."

"Digital network." An online-enabled application, software, website or system offered or utilized by a transportation network company that enables the prearrangement of rides with transportation network company drivers.

"Dynamic pricing." A transportation network company's practice of adjusting the calculation used to determine fares at certain times and locations in response to the supply of transportation network company drivers and the demand for transportation network company drivers' services.

"License." Proof of the authority's approval authorizing a transportation network company to operate a transportation network company in accordance with this chapter. the term does not include a certificate of public convenience as described under section 5741 (relating to certificate of public convenience required).

"Personal vehicle." As follows:

(1) A vehicle that is used by a transportation network company driver and is owned, leased or otherwise authorized for use by the transportation network company driver.

(2) The term does not include:

(i) a call or demand service or limousine service as defined under section 5701 (relating to definitions);

(ii) a paratransit service regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission under 52 Pa. code §§ 29.353 (relating to method of operation in paratransit service), 29.354 (relating to vehicle and equipment requirements: paratransit service) and 29.355 (relating to tariff requirements); or

(iii) a vehicle operated under a ridesharing arrangement or by a ridesharing operator as defined under the Act of December 14, 1982 ( P.L. 1211, No.279), entitled "An act providing for ridesharing arrangements and providing that certain laws shall be inapplicable to ridesharing arrangements."

(3) A vehicle operated in a shared-expense arrangement where an individual receives reimbursement that does not exceed the actual costs incurred while providing transportation.

"Prearranged ride." The provision of transportation by a transportation network company driver to a passenger, originating in a city and beginning when a transportation network company driver accepts a ride requested by a passenger through a digital network, continuing while the driver transports the passenger and ending when the last passenger departs from the personal vehicle. For purposes of this chapter, a prearranged ride does not include:

(1) Transportation provided using a call or demand service or limousine service as defined under section 5701 (relating to definitions);

(2) Paratransit service regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission under 52 Pa. code §§ 29.353 (relating to method of operation in paratransit service), 29.354 (relating to vehicle and equipment requirements: paratransit service) and 29.355 (relating to tariff requirements);

(3) A driver operating under ridesharing arrangement or ridesharing operator as defined under the Act of December 14, 1982 ( P.L. 1211, No.279), entitled "An act providing for ridesharing arrangements and providing that certain laws shall be inapplicable to ridesharing arrangements"; or

(4) A shared-expense arrangement where an individual receives reimbursement that does not exceed the actual costs incurred while providing transportation.

"Transportation network company" or "TNC." A person or entity that obtains a license to operate a transportation network service by the authority and uses a digital network to facilitate prearranged rides.

"Transportation network company driver" or "driver." An individual who:

(1) Receives connections to potential passengers and related services from a transportation network company, in exchange for payment of a fee to the transportation network company.

(2) Uses a personal vehicle to offer or provide a prearranged ride to passengers upon connection through a digital network controlled by a transportation network company in return for compensation or payment of a fee.

The term shall not include an individual who receives reimbursement that does not exceed the actual costs incurred while providing transportation.

"Transportation network company passenger" or "passenger." A person who uses a digital network to connect with a transportation network company driver who provides prearranged rides to the passenger in the driver's personal vehicle.

"Transportation network service" or "service." As follows:

(1) A service which meets all of the following:

(i) matches a passenger and transportation network company driver using a digital network in advance of a prearranged ride.

(ii) is characterized by a transportation network company driver offering or providing a prearranged ride to a passenger.

(iii) originates within the city.

(iv) is rendered on an exclusive basis.

For purposes of this paragraph, the term "exclusive basis" means a transportation network service on a given prearranged ride when each individual, party or group may not be required to ride with another passenger on that prearranged ride unless the individual, party or group consents to additional passengers on the prearranged ride.

(2) The term includes the periods when:

(i) a driver is logged onto a transportation network company's digital network and available for service.

(ii) a driver is conducting a prearranged ride.

"Wheelchair-accessible vehicle." A vehicle that can accommodate at least one person in a wheelchair without the person having to transfer from the wheelchair to another seat and that meets requirements established under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327) or requirements that are a functional equivalent and approved by the authority, or both.

53 Pa.C.S. § 57A01

Added by P.L. TBD 2016 No. 164, § 1.2, eff. 11/4/2016.