Car-free Downtowners and confused tourists can breathe a sigh of relief today, and maybe a whistle tomorrow.

The highly-lauded Hail-a-Taxi initiative took a huge leap forward this morning at City Hall after the Taxicab Commission unanimously approved the measure, giving cab drivers the right to pick up passengers anywhere on the streets of our city.

The process now moves on to hearings by the Transportation Committee and City Council, leading to a July 1 launch date of the six-month pilot program in Downtown. According to Councilwoman Jan Perry’s press deputy Eva Kandarpa, the item should be agendized quickly for the remaining approvals.

If successful in Downtown, Hail-a-Taxi will be expanded through out Los Angeles.

Though pedestrians can technically hail a cab without the measure, drivers are subject to fines if they pick up fares anywhere other than loading zones, and designated taxi areas - making it nearly impossible to enjoy the conveniences of instant auto transportation.

The local law which prohibits the passenger pickup, established as a means traffic congestion prevention, has been viewed as a hindrance in the evolution of a 24-hour urban core. Seeing that local support for the initiative remains strong among business owners, residents and government officials, full approval is expected soon.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user So Cal Metro.

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