As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
DRIVER
The person in control of and operating or driving a taxicab
within the limits of the Town of Mount Airy.
[Added 8-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6]
OWNER
The person in whose name a taxicab is permitted or licensed
by the Maryland Public Service Commission and/or is registered by
the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
[Added 8-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6]
TAXICAB
A motor vehicle, marked with a top light, for hire that:
A.
Is designed to carry seven or fewer individuals,
including the driver; and
B.
Is used to accept or solicit passengers for
transportation between points along public streets, as the passengers
request.
The Council of the Town of Mount Airy is hereby
authorized and empowered to enact ordinances providing regulations
for the operation of taxicabs in the Town and for the registration
and fixing requirements for the owners and operators of the taxicabs
so as to protect the safety, health and general welfare of the Town
and its residents, citizens and occupants; provided, however, that
such regulations are not in conflict with the laws of the state and
regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the Public
Service Commission.
The Council of the Town of Mount Airy shall
be empowered to request the aid of the Public Service Commission of
the State of Maryland in the determination of rates which may be established
under this chapter. The Public Service Commission shall be empowered
to extend such aid as maybe requested from time to time from the Council
of the Town of Mount Airy in the determination of rates, so far as
such aid is consistent with the statutory powers conferred upon such
commission by the laws of the state.
The violation of any of the provisions of any
ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter shall be considered a municipal
infraction and is subject to a fine not to exceed $100 for each violation.
Each separate day that a violation remains uncorrected is a separate
violation subject to additional fines.
[Added 8-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6]
A. No taxicab owner or driver shall operate or permit a taxicab to be
operated within the limits of the Town of Mount Airy without applying
for and securing a special taxicab license for each taxicab from the
Town Clerk.
B. The owner of a taxicab must submit an application for taxicab license
to the Town Clerk to obtain a special taxicab license on a form, as
amended from time to time, prepared and made available by the Town
Clerk.
C. There shall be an administrative fee of $25, to be paid to the Town
of Mount Airy with submission of the application.
D. The application shall at a minimum require:
(1) An agreement on the part of the owner to comply with all terms of
the Mount Airy Town Code and with applicable federal, state and county
law;
(2) An agreement to maintain all taxicabs in a condition that meets Maryland
state requirements and as would pass a Maryland state inspection;
(3) Satisfactory proof that the taxicab has passed a Maryland state inspection
within 15 days of application;
(4) An agreement to allow, upon request at any time, the Maryland Resident
Troopers of Mount Airy or their designees to perform a visual inspection
of all taxicabs operated by or on behalf of the owner for compliance
with safety requirements established by applicable federal, state
or county law for taxicabs;
(5) A certificate of insurance, showing the Town as certificate holder
and requiring at least 20 days notice to the Town of any change to
coverage, as proof of liability coverage for each taxicab in at least
the minimum limits of coverage as required by applicable federal and
state law;
(6) A copy of each driver's current and valid license to operate
a taxicab in the State of Maryland; and
(7) Completion and signature of a hold-harmless agreement on a form,
as amended from time to time, prepared and made available by the Town
Clerk in which the owner agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend
the Town of and from any and all claims for bodily injury, property
damage or other claims for damages arising out of or connected in
any way to the ownership, use or operation of the owner's taxicab
within the limits of the Town.
E. It shall be the duty of the owner to promptly provide to the Town
Clerk any material updates or changes to the information submitted
with the application for special license pursuant this section, to
include the information required under this section for any new driver;
notification of any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment
of any driver; liability insurance renewal, modification or termination;
license renewal, suspension or revocation for any driver; any updated
Maryland inspection results for the owner's taxicabs and/or the
suspension or revocation of any license, permit or registration of
the owner's taxicabs.
F. The Town Clerk shall have the right to reject an application for
special license or revoke a special license for operation of a taxicab
for good cause to include a failure to provide or update information
required by this section and/or for failure to comply with applicable
Federal, State or County law or applicable provisions of the Town
Code.
[Added 8-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6]
The owner shall, for each taxicab operated within Town limits,
carry and maintain liability insurance covering claims for bodily
injury or property damage in at least the minimum limits of coverage
required under applicable federal and state law.
[Added 8-3-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6]
Each taxicab shall display in full view from inside the taxicab
each of the following:
A. Special taxicab license as required by §
103-5;
B. Rate schedule card not less than three inches in width and four inches
in length on which shall be printed, in letters as large as the space
will permit, a clear and understandable schedule of the rates established
for the use of such taxicab; and
C. The driver's current and valid license to operate a taxicab
in the State of Maryland.