Towing Rules - New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

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242) Staff included in its average cost of a tow the cost of equipment and labor ordinarily needed to provide wrecker service and eliminated the costs of those items as separate charges. 54 Towing admits that dollies are used in only 2% of its nonconsensual tows. One wrecker testified that wreckers do not need to disconnect drivelines or use dollies. (TR. p. 205) The McKinley County wreckers’ Exhibit stated that dollies were bought with the trucks but are considered by these wreckers to be extra equipment. However, Staff testified that extra equipment does not include equipment that wreckers ordinarily have on their trucks. The category includes equipment like bulldozers, items that a wrecker might have to buy or rent for an extraordinary situation. (TR. pp. 132-34) Staff also testified that extra fees for dollies and driveline disconnections have not been justified by any evidence. (TR. pp. 129-30; 160) This exception should be denied. b) 54 Towing objects to the elimination of a fee for towing services’ use of fourwheel drive vehicles. Most towing services do not use four-wheel drive tow vehicles. (TR. p.80) They use chains when weather requires them. Staff does not consider chains to be extra equipment. (TR p. 132) If four-wheel drive tow vehicles are needed to recover damaged vehicles, the cost can be charged under the extra labor & equipment category. This exception should be denied. c) 54 Towing claims that the administrative charge per tow should be $50. The RD recommends $25. Currently it is $10. The charge is to offset the cost of towing services’ obtaining registered owner and lienholder data and notifying Final Order Revising Wrecker Tariff And Amending Rule 18.3.15 NMAC Case No. 10-00334-TR-R Page 4 of 8
the owner or lienholder of the vehicle’s location and of its having been towed -- activities under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Such an inquiry costs $7.00 each time. Some wreckers pay an annual fee to a contractor for this service. This charge does not include the cost of perfecting the towing service’s lien for towing charges or proceeding to a sale of the vehicle, activities not under the Commission’s jurisdiction. (TR. at pp. 105, 108, 122-23) This exception should be denied. d) 54 Towing objects to the elimination of charges for waiting time. Most of the complaints about towing services involve the padding of waiting time, the time a wrecker spends at a scene before being allowed to tow a vehicle. Staff removed waiting time and included it as part of the inclusive rate for hookup based upon Staff’s surveying and comments from the Investigative Bureau of the Transportation Staff. The increase in the hookup rate covers the majority of tows involving waiting time. (TR at p. 46) Staff wanted to reduce disagreements on billing, which are hard for Staff to regulate since Staff is not actually on the scene, and no records are kept of towing services’ arrivals and departures. (TR. at pp. 22, 54-55) Towing services in Albuquerque have addressed the issue with police to coordinate the efficient movement of vehicles. Pursuant to those discussions, towing services have asked to be called only when the vehicles are ready to be moved or, if towing services have arrived prematurely, they leave the scene and ask to be called when the vehicle is ready to be moved. (TR. at pp. 228-230) Final Order Revising Wrecker Tariff And Amending Rule 18.3.15 NMAC Case No. 10-00334-TR-R Page 5 of 8
Page 1 and 2: BEFORE THE NEW MEXICO PUBLIC REGULA
Page 3: 6. The Commission does not grant th
Page 7 and 8: C. The amended Fuel Surcharge Rule,
Page 9 and 10: EXHIBIT I TITLE 18 TRANSPORTATION A
Page 11 and 12: EXHIBIT II NEW MEXICO PUBLIC REGULA
Page 13 and 14: GENERAL PROVISIONS All rates are st

Towing Rules - New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

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