Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 50 - Common Carriers
Subchapter 00 - General Administration
Part 1 - Fuel Price Emergency Surcharge for Towers, Taxicabs and Limited Public Motor Vehicles Water Carriers (815-RICR-50-00-1)
Section 815-RICR-50-00-1.3 - Taxicabs and Limited Public Motor Vehicles

A. The average cost of regular gasoline in the State of Rhode Island will be determined by the Division by averaging the cost of regular gasoline in the state as posted under Rhode Island at www.aaasne.com on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

B. When the average cost of regular gasoline in the state exceeds one dollar and fifty ($1.50) cents per gallon, the Division will authorize a surcharge. The surcharge will be twenty five ($0.25) cents per fare when the meter shows a fare of $10.00 or less. The surcharge will be fifty ($0.50) cents per fare when the meter shows a fare of more than $10.00.

C. On the fourth Monday of each month preceding a month in which the Division will authorize a surcharge, the Associate Administrator of the Motor Carrier's Section of the Division will issue an Administrative Order stating:

D. The Associate Administrator of the Motor Carrier's Section of the Division will cause this administrative order to be posted on the Division's web-site by the fourth Monday of each month preceding a month in which the Division will authorize a surcharge, where it will remain at least until the expiration of the month to which it relates.

E. The Associate Administrator of the Motor Carrier's Section of the Division will cause a message to be recorded, indicating the authorization of a surcharge by the fourth Monday of each month preceding a month in which the Division will authorize a surcharge.

F. In those months when a surcharge is authorized, all taxicabs and limited public motor vehicles must conspicuously place a notice of the surcharge in every vehicle which operates during that month. The Associate Administrator of the Motor Carrier's Section of the Division will make sample notices available.

G. The authorization of the surcharge will expire on the last day of the calendar month for which it is authorized.

H. The application of the surcharge is voluntary. However, if a person or entity elects to implement the surcharge it must be applied non-discriminatorily to all persons carried.