A.
No person shall use or permit to be used on any taxicab a taximeter
which shall be in such condition as to be more than 5% incorrect to
the prejudice of a passenger. No taximeter affixed to any taxicab
or livery shall be operated from either rear wheel of such vehicle.
Between sunset and sunrise, the face of every taximeter shall be illuminated
by a suitable light so arranged so as to throw a continuous steady
light thereon and render the figures on such taximeter readily discernible
by any passenger. No person shall use or permit to be used a taximeter
which has been broken nor unless its cover and gears are intact.
B.
It shall be unlawful to change the size of the front wheels or tires
of a taxicab or the gears operating the taximeter or to change said
instrument from one vehicle to another without approval of the City
Clerk.
A.
No person shall charge a greater sum for the use of a taxicab than
in accordance with the following rates:
(1)
Hourly rates: $18 per hour for one or more passengers.
(2)
Mileage rates.
[Amended 6-19-2002; 3-5-2003; 1-19-2005]
(a)
For the first 1/6 mile or less: $2.70.
(b)
Each additional 1/16 mile: $0.40.
(c)
For each one minute of waiting time, including time lost in
traffic delays: $0.40.
(d)
Upon producing certification as to senior citizen status, persons
may be entitled to a ten-percent reduction in the amount of the fare.
Said senior citizen discount shall be at the discretion of the taxicab
licensee.
(3)
Hand baggage: free.
(4)
Trunks: free.
(5)
Large boxes: free.
B.
No additional or extra charge shall be made for carrying more than
one passenger, but all passengers up to the seating capacity of the
vehicle shall be carried for the same fare as that above prescribed
for one passenger.
C.
Upon demand, the driver of a taxicab or livery shall furnish to the
passenger a receipt for the fare paid, showing the name and license
number of the driver.
D.
All disputes as to the lawful rate of fare shall be determined by
the City Council, and a failure to comply with such determination,
provided that it be in accordance with the rate herein fixed, shall
be a violation of this chapter.
E.
All future allowable rates in the City of North Tonawanda shall be
equivalent to those set in the City of Buffalo.
[Amended 1-19-2005]
Any person desiring to charge rates less than the rates stated in § 86-12 shall be permitted to do so; but before charging such lesser rates, the schedule to be charged shall be filed with the City Clerk and Chief of Police 15 days before such rates are put into effect, and a copy of such rates shall be prominently displayed in each vehicle in which such rates are to be charged.
No person shall charge for taxicab service rates higher than the rates permitted by § 86-12; and in case lesser rates are filed with the City Clerk and the Chief of Police, any person who charges greater rates than the rates so filed for taxicab service in vehicles to which such advertised rates apply shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
A.
The maximum rates allowed to be charged by this chapter, printed
in English, shall be displayed prominently on the outside of each
taxicab. Where a lower schedule of rates is filed by the owner of
any taxicab, such owner shall display at all times on the outside
of the vehicle to which such rates apply in the above-mentioned language
such lower rates. Such displays, before being used, shall be approved
as to design and size of type used by the City Clerk.
B.
No taxicab or livery shall be operated without the rates of fare
applicable thereto being prominently displayed therein. Any false,
misleading or incomplete statement or sign relating to the rate of
fare charged, displayed either on the inside or the outside of any
taxicab shall be a violation of this chapter.
Every driver of a taxicab shall have the right to demand payment
of the regular fare in advance and may refuse employment unless so
prepaid, but no driver of a taxicab shall otherwise refuse or neglect
to convey an orderly person or persons upon request anywhere in the
City unless previously engaged. No driver of a licensed taxicab shall
carry any other person than the passengers first employing the taxicab
without the consent of such passengers.
Whenever a passenger requests a receipt, such a receipt shall
be furnished by the driver of a taxicab. The receipt shall include
the name of the driver, the name of the licensed owner and the amount
of the fare collected.
No taxicab driver or operator shall charge or attempt to charge
a higher rate of fare than is provided for by this chapter, nor shall
any passenger refuse to pay the proper and legal fare.