Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 50 - Common Carriers › Subchapter 10 - Motor Carriers of Passengers › Part 5 - Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Passengers via Transportation Network Companies (815-RICR-50-10-5) › Section 815-RICR-50-10-5.2 - Definitions

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Terms used herein shall be construed as
				  follows unless another meaning is expressed or is clearly apparent from the
				  language or content.
1. "Administrator" means
				  the Administrator of the Division of Public Utilities & Carriers or his or
				  her duly appointed designee.
2.
				  "Digital Network" means any online-enabled technology application service,
				  website or system offered or utilized by a transportation network company that
				  enables the prearrangement of rider transportation with transportation network
				  company drivers.
3. "Division"
				  means the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers.
4. "Partner" or "Partnering" means the act of
				  a TNC operator agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth by a TNC for
				  access to the TNC's digital network for the purpose of being connected to
				  potential TNC riders seeking TNC services.
5. "Person" means and includes any
				  individual, partnership, corporation or other association of
				  individuals.
6. "Personal Vehicle"
				  means a vehicle that is used by a transportation network company driver and is:
(a) Designed to hold no more than seven (7)
				  individuals, including the driver;
(b) Owned, leased or otherwise authorized for
				  use by the individual; and
(c) Not
				  a jitney, as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
												39-13-1, a taxicab or limited
				  public motor vehicle, as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
												39-14-1, a public motor vehicle,
				  as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
												39-14.1-1, or a common carrier as
				  defined in R.I. Gen. Laws Title 39.
7. "Transportation Network Company" or "TNC"
				  means an entity licensed by the Division pursuant to R.I. Gen Laws Chapter
				  39-14.2 that uses a digital network to connect transportation network company
				  riders to transportation network operators who provide prearranged rides. A
				  transportation network company shall not be deemed to control, direct or manage
				  the personal vehicles or transportation network company drivers that connect to
				  its digital network, except where agreed to by written contract.
8. "Transportation Network Company
				  Affiliation Placard" means a recognizable logo or decal issued by the TNC used
				  to identify personal vehicles whenever such a vehicle is available to provide,
				  or is providing, TNC services.
9.
				  "Transportation Network Operator" or" TNC Operator" or "TNC Driver" means an
				  individual who:
(a) Receives connections to
				  potential riders and related services from a transportation network company in
				  exchange for payment of a fee to the transportation network company;
				  and
(b) Uses a personal vehicle to
				  offer or provide a prearranged ride to TNC riders upon connection through a
				  digital network controlled by a transportation network company in exchange for
				  compensation or payment of a fee.
10. "Transportation Network Company (TNC)
				  Rider" or "Rider" means an individual or persons who uses a transportation
				  network company's digital network to connect with a transportation network
				  driver who provides prearranged rides to the rider in the driver's personal
				  vehicle between points chosen by the rider.
11. "Transportation Network Company (TNC)
				  Services" or "Prearranged Ride" means the provision of transportation by a TNC
				  driver to a TNC rider beginning when a TNC driver accepts a TNC rider's request
				  for a ride made only through a digital network controlled by a transportation
				  network company (TNC), continuing while the TNC driver transports the
				  requesting TNC rider(s) and ending when the last requesting TNC rider(s)
				  departs from the personal vehicle. TNC services and prearranged rides do not
				  include transportation provided using a jitney, as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws
				  §
											39-13-1, a taxicab or limited
				  public motor vehicle, as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
											39-14-1, a public motor vehicle,
				  as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
											39-14.1-1, a common carrier as
				  defined in R.I. Gen. Laws Title 39, or a regional transportation provider. TNC
				  services and prearranged rides do not include a shared expense carpool or
				  vanpool arrangement or service.