[R.O. 2011 § 645.030; R.O. 2009 § 120.15; CC 1981 § 28-12; Ord. No. 3489, 6-21-1967]
For the purpose of this Article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DRIVER
Any person driving a taxicab.
PASSENGER
Any person or child after the fifth birthday in a self-mobile condition.
TAXICAB
Any motor vehicle performing a bona fide for hire taxicab service, having a capacity of not more than five (5) passengers, exclusive of the driver, and not operated on a regular route or between fixed termini.
TAXICAB OPERATOR'S LICENSE
The license issued by the City permitting the holder to engage in the business of operating taxicabs in the City.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.040; R.O. 2009 § 120.16; CC 1981 § 28-13; Ord. No. 22-168, 12-20-2022]
In addition to the operating license fee required in Section 645.130, there shall be paid a vehicle license fee in the amount stated in Section 150.030 for each motor vehicle to be regularly used as a taxicab by the holder of a taxicab operator's license before any such vehicle is so used as a taxicab. Such vehicle license fee shall be paid annually for each fiscal year beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31 of the following year. Such vehicle license fee shall be paid to the City Collector and the holder of the taxicab operator's license shall designate the make, type and motor number of the motor vehicle for which such vehicle license fee is being paid. The City Collector shall issue his/her receipt therefor in duplicate, containing the description of such vehicle, one (1) of which duplicate receipts shall be covered by the insurance required in this Article.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.050; R.O. 2009 § 120.17; CC 1981 § 28-14; Ord. No. 03-128, 6-4-2003]
A. 
No person shall operate a taxicab upon any street of the City unless and until the owner thereof or person in whose name the taxicab operator's license is issued shall have procured and deposited with the City Clerk an insurance policy issued by a solvent insurance company of the State or licensed to do business in the State insuring the owner or licensee of any such taxicabs against liability imposed by law for damage on account of personal injuries sustained by any person and on account of property damage sustained by any person in the operation of any such taxicab in the amounts required by Section 303.020(10), RSMo., as the definition of proof of financial responsibility.
B. 
In the event such policy of insurance shall, for any reason, be canceled or shall expire or no longer be in force in such amounts, it shall be unlawful to operate any taxicab otherwise licensed to be operated until such insurance in such amounts shall have been procured and deposited with the City Clerk. Before any such policy of insurance shall be filed, it shall first be presented to and approved by the Mayor.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.060; R.O. 2009 § 120.18; CC 1981 §§ 28-15 — 28-16; Ord. No. 90-323, 12-19-1990]
A. 
Maximum Fares Inside City Limits.
1. 
The following are the maximum fares permitted to be charged for taxicab service inside the City limits:
a. 
One (1) or two (2) passengers, (same origin, same destination), one (1) mile: $2.35.
b. 
For each additional one-half (1/2) mile or fractional part thereof traveled, an additional: $0.60.
c. 
For each passenger over two (2), same origin, same destination, an additional: $0.50.
d. 
Waiting time at the rate of twenty-five cents ($0.25) per minute; provided however, that the minimum charge per hour for the mileage and waiting time shall be twelve dollars ($12.00).
2. 
When large gasoline price increases have occurred within the City, the City Council, by resolution, may grant temporary increases in the maximum fares. The temporary maximum fare increases shall be valid for a period to be specified in the resolution, but shall not exceed sixty (60) days.
B. 
Posting. A chart of the maximum rates of fare as set out in Subsection (A) of this Section shall be posted in plain view in each taxicab.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.070; R.O. 2009 § 120.19; CC 1981 § 28-17]
Each taxicab operating under this Article shall bear on the outside of one (1) door, on each side, in painted letters in a contrasting color to the background, not less than one (1) inch in width nor less than four (4) inches in height, the name of the company, owner or firm name of the operator of the same and, in addition, shall bear such identifying letters on the rear of such taxicab together with the identifying number of such cab at the same places and, in addition, may bear an identifying design approved by the City. No vehicle covered by the terms of this Article shall be licensed to use any color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia to be used thereon which shall be found by the City to conflict with or imitate any color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia used on a vehicle already operating under this Article in such a manner as to be misleading or to tend to deceive or defraud the public; provided that if, after a license has been issued for a taxicab hereunder, the color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia thereof is changed so as to be, as found by the City, in conflict with or imitate any color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia of any other person, owner or operator in such a manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive the public, the license covering such taxicab shall be suspended or revoked.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.080; R.O. 2009 § 120.20; CC 1981 §§ 28-18 — 28-19; Ord. No. 3489, 6-21-1967; Ord. No. 82-51, 7-6-1982; Ord. No. 12-234 § 1, 12-6-2012; Ord. No. 14-138 § 1, 7-1-2014; Ord. No. 16-152 § 1, 8-2-2016]
A. 
Number Of Taxicabs To Be Operated. Every person to whom a taxicab operator's license is issued shall, within ten (10) days after such issuance and during the balance of the term of such license, cause to be operated not less than five (5) nor more than fifty (50) taxicabs regularly and daily at least five (5) hours each day and at least one (1) taxicab subject to call from 5:00 A.M. until Midnight each day, unless prevented from doing so by strikes or other causes beyond his/her control.
B. 
Extra And Additional Taxicabs. For each five (5) taxicabs in regular operation, the holder of a taxicab operator's license may employ and operate one (1) additional taxicab as an "extra" in order to afford service during peak or rush periods and on special occasions or to replace or substitute for a taxicab regularly used, without paying the vehicle license fee required of regularly operated taxicabs; provided that any such extra taxicab shall be covered by insurance as required by this Article. The City Council may grant the privilege of operating additional taxicabs for periods of not exceeding four (4) months; provided, that vehicle license fees be paid thereon and that such additional taxicabs be covered by the insurance required by this Article.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.090; R.O. 2009 § 120.21; CC 1981 § 28-20]
The operation of a taxicab under a taxicab operator's license issued by the City shall be subject to all the provisions of this Title and any other provisions of this Code or any other ordinance of the City regulating traffic and travel on the streets of the City.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.100; R.O. 2009 § 120.22; CC 1981 § 28-32]
No person shall engage in the business of operating taxicabs over the streets of the City unless a license has first been issued therefor by the City.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.110; R.O. 2009 § 120.23; CC 1981 § § 28-33 — 28-34]
A. 
Application And Filing. No taxicab operator's license shall be issued until and unless the owner or person desiring to engage in the business of operating taxicabs shall file with the City Clerk an application for a taxicab operator's license. The City Clerk shall refer such application to the Mayor and City Council at the next regular meeting.
B. 
Contents. The application for a taxicab operator's license shall state:
1. 
The name and the address of the applicant and, if a corporation, the names and addresses of the president, secretary and business manager and, if a partnership, firm or association, the name thereof and the names and addresses of the persons composing the same.
2. 
The location or address from which the business is to be conducted.
3. 
The number of taxicabs desired to be operated.
4. 
The type of each taxicab to be operated, including the number of persons each such taxicab is designed or constructed to carry.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.120; R.O. 2009 § 120.24; CC 1981 §§ 28-35 — 28-36]
A. 
Notice To Holders Of Licenses. The Council shall cause all holders of taxicab operators' licenses of the City to be notified, by mail or by notice served by the Chief of Police, of any application for a license under this Subsection and the date on which such application will be considered by the Council, at least five (5) days prior to acting upon any such application.
B. 
Consideration And Grant. The Council shall give reasonable consideration to the passenger transportation service being furnished and the effect which additional transportation service may have upon the existing licensed taxicab and motorbus service in the City. If the Council shall decide that public convenience and necessity will be promoted, the application shall be granted.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.130; R.O. 2009 § 120.25; CC 1981 § 28-37]
A. 
An operating license fee shall be payable to the City Collector annually on April 1 of each year in the amount stated in Section 150.030. This fee shall be paid on or before the first day of April prior to the issuance of a taxicab operator's license.
[Ord. No. 22-168, 12-20-2022]
B. 
If a taxicab operator's license is issued within six (6) months prior to March 31 of any year, the operating license fee shall be only one-half (1/2) of the amount provided in this Section.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.140; R.O. 2009 § 120.26; CC 1981 § § 28-38 — 28-40]
A. 
Issuance — Form — Term. Upon the granting of an application for a taxicab operator's license, the payment of the required operating license fee to the City Collector and the filing of the insurance policy provided for in Section 645.050, a taxicab operator's license shall be issued to the applicant by the City Clerk. All licenses shall be signed by the Mayor and the City Clerk, shall bear the date of issuance and shall name the licensee and state the purpose for which such license is issued and shall expire on March 31 following the date of issuance.
B. 
Transfer. No taxicab operator's license shall be transferred except with the prior approval of the City Council.
C. 
Renewal. Taxicab operators' licenses in continuation and renewal of original taxicab operators' licenses shall be issued by the City Clerk upon payment by the holder of the original taxicab operator's license of the required operating license fee to the City Collector, there being on file the required insurance policy, without application to the Council or any notice thereof. The operating license fee for a renewal or continued license shall be paid before April 1 of any year. Such renewal or continued license shall be dated April 1 of the year in which issued and shall expire on March 31 of the next succeeding year.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.150; R.O. 2009 § 120.27; CC 1981 §§ 28-41 — 28-42]
A. 
Suspension. The City Council may suspend any taxicab operator's license for failure on the part of the holder to comply with:
1. 
Section 645.050 relating to insurance.
2. 
Section 645.080(A), relating to the number of taxicabs to be operated, unless prevented by strikes or causes beyond his/her control.
3. 
The provisions of Section 645.060 relating to the rates of fares and posting thereof if such failure is willfully and knowingly permitted by the holder of the license.
4. 
The provisions of Section 645.160(F) relating to the registration of names and identification of drivers.
B. 
Revocation. The City Council may revoke any taxicab operator's license if, after five (5) days' notice, the holder shall fail to correct any of the failures specified in Section 645.150(A) as cause for suspension.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.
[R.O. 2011 § 645.160; R.O. 2009 § 120.28; CC 1981 §§ 28-54 — 28-58; Ord. No. 10-19 § 1, 2-4-2010]
A. 
Minors Not To Drive. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall drive any taxicab operated under a taxicab operator's license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Article.
B. 
State Driver's License Required. No person shall drive a taxicab operated under a taxicab operator's license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter unless he/she has a valid State chauffeur's license or other proper license required of a motor vehicle driver by the State.
C. 
Criminal Convictions, Illegal Aliens, And The Like. No person that:
1. 
Has been convicted of any felony involving:
a. 
A crime against another person;
b. 
Violence;
c. 
Use of a weapon; or
d. 
A crime against property within five (5) years next preceding:
2. 
Has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving the operation of a taxicab while under the influence or in an intoxicated condition from alcohol or drugs;
3. 
Has been convicted of any offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence or in an intoxicated condition from alcohol or drugs within five (5) years next preceding;
4. 
Has been convicted of any second offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence or in an intoxicated condition from alcohol or drugs;
5. 
Is required to register as a sex offender;
6. 
Is not able to speak and understand directions, oral and written, in the English language;
7. 
Is not able to read and understand maps of the St. Louis metropolitan area;
8. 
Is not able to provide proof of citizenship of the United States of America or, if not a citizen of the United States of America then a valid visa and work permit;
9. 
Is not able to provide a statement from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the United States of America that the person has taken a physical examination the results of which show that the person is physically capable of safely operating a taxicab and providing reasonable assistance to disabled, elderly, or frail passengers, in that, the person shall be satisfactorily ambulatory that he or she is able to assist carrying typical packages and luggage passengers may have with them; or
10. 
Is not able to furnish evidence that the person has completed a comprehensive driver training program, of which, the curriculum shall include, at a minimum, applicable governmental rules and regulations, geography and map reading of the St. Louis metropolitan area, major points of interest in the St. Louis metropolitan area, general familiarity with the St. Louis metropolitan area, driver safety and defensive driving, passenger safety, vehicle safety and maintenance/inspection checks, and customer service and relations, including guidelines for assisting disabled, frail and elderly passengers; shall drive a taxicab operated under a taxicab operator's license issued by the City. Applicants shall provide proof of clearance as to Subsection (C)(1) through (5) as set forth in Subsection (D).
D. 
St. Charles Police Department Review And Clearance Of Record Required. Every applicant shall obtain from the St. Charles Police Department proof that the applicant's record is clear from the convictions specified in Subsection (C)(1) through (5) of this Section. The St. Charles Police Department is authorized to obtain from the State or Federal Government any record of information which might provide the conviction history of any applicant. Any costs or expenses associated with obtaining or reviewing of the applicant's record shall be born by the applicant.
E. 
Badge. No person shall drive a taxicab operated under a taxicab operator's license issued by the City unless he/she shall wear a badge bearing the operator's name, photograph, company name and telephone number.
F. 
Registration. Every holder of a taxicab operator's license shall file with the Chief of Police and the City Clerk annually on April first or within five (5) days thereafter and at such other times as may be requested by the Chief of Police or Mayor, the name of each driver employed by him/her, together with the number assigned by the licensee to such driver. Such licensee shall also report the name and number of each driver who shall cease to be employed by such licensee and any new driver commencing such employment within three (3) days after such employment has begun or ended.
G. 
No taxicab driver shall smoke or permit smoking in the taxicab while transporting a passenger.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 645.450.