[R.O. 1996 § 630.010; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-1; Ord. No. 396 § 1, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 1, 5, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
The following words and phrases, when used in this Article, have the meanings set out herein:
BUS
A motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire, having a seating capacity in excess of fifteen (15) persons and operated on fixed or irregular routes.
CERTIFICATE
A certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the City of Blue Springs authorizing the holder thereof to operate a motor vehicle in the livery, taxicab or City bus business in the City of Blue Springs, Missouri.
CRUISING
The driving of a taxicab on the streets, alleys, or other public places of the City of Blue Springs, Missouri, in search of or soliciting prospective passengers for hire.
HOLDER
A person to whom a certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued.
LIVERY VEHICLE
A public passenger motor vehicle with a driver furnished for hire only by written agreement for use between predetermined points at a charge fixed in advance.
MANIFEST
A daily record prepared by a taxicab driver of all trips made by said driver, showing time and place of origin, destination, number of passengers, and the amount of the fare of each trip.
RATE CARD
The rate shall be displayed in each taxicab or bus which contains the rate of fares then in force.
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.
TAXI METER
A meter, instrument, or device attached to a taxicab which measures mechanically the distance driven and the waiting time on which the fare is based.
WAITING TIME
The time a taxicab is not in motion from the time of acceptance of a passenger or passengers, to the time of discharge, but does not include the time that the taxicab is not in motion if due to any cause other than the request, act or fault of a passenger or passengers.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.020; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-2; Ord. No. 396 § 18, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
Any person violating any provision of this Article shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation and upon conviction be punished as set out in Section 100.080 of this Code.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.030; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-3; Ord. No. 396 § 19, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 1789 § 1, 11-7-1988; Ord. No. 2231 § 2, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
School buses operated by or on behalf of the R-IV School District and any religious affiliated school shall be specifically exempted from the provisions of this Article.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.040; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-5; Ord. No. 396 § 12, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 3, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
Every vehicle operating under this Article shall be kept clean and sanitary according to rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated by the Chief of Police or designee. Vehicles must bear the name of the person, firm or organization operating the same.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.050; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-6; Ord. No. 396 § 13, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
No driver shall permit more persons to be carried in a taxicab, livery vehicle, or bus as passengers than the rated seating capacity of their taxicab, livery vehicle or bus as stated in the report of the Chief of Police. A child in arms shall not be counted as a passenger.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.060; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-7; Ord. No. 396 § 11, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
No person shall operate a taxicab, livery vehicle, or bus for hire upon the streets of the City of Blue Springs, Missouri, and no person who owns or controls a taxicab, livery vehicle or bus shall permit it to be so driven, unless the driver of said taxicab, livery vehicle or bus shall have first obtained from the State of Missouri those licenses appropriate for operation of the applicable vehicle.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.070; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-8; Ord. No. 396 § 17, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 4, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A. 
It shall be a violation of this Article for any driver of a taxicab, livery vehicle or bus to solicit business for any hotel or motel, or to attempt to divert patronage from one hotel or motel to another. Neither shall such driver engage in selling intoxicating liquors or soliciting business for any house of ill repute, or use their vehicle for any purpose other than the transportation of passengers or the pick-up and delivery of packages.
B. 
No driver shall solicit in a loud or annoying tone of voice, or by sign or in any manner annoy any person or obstruct the movement of any person, or follow any person for the purpose of soliciting patronage.
C. 
Drivers of taxicabs, livery vehicles or buses shall not receive or discharge passengers in the roadway, but shall pull up to the right-hand sidewalk as nearly as possible or, in the absence of a sidewalk, to the extreme right-hand side of the road and there receive or discharge passengers, except upon one-way streets, where passengers may be discharged at either the right- or left-hand sidewalk or the side of the roadway in the absence of a sidewalk.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.080; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-9; Ord. No. 396 § 16, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A. 
Every taxi driver shall maintain a daily manifest on which are recorded all trips made each day, showing time and place of origin, destination, and amount of fare. Such completed manifest shall be returned to the owner by the driver at the conclusion of their tour of duty. The forms for each manifest shall be furnished to the driver by the owner.
B. 
Every holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall retain and preserve all drivers' manifests in a safe place for at least the calendar year next preceding the current calendar year, and said manifest shall be available to the City for inspection.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.090; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-10; Ord. No. 396 § 14, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 677 § 1, 4-16-1973; Ord. No. 740 § 1, 3-18-1974; Ord. No. 843 § 1, 7-6-1976; Ord. No. 1030 § 1, 6-19-1979; Ord. No. 1340 § 2, 10-15-1984; Ord. No. 2231 § 6, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A. 
Every holder of a certificate of convenience issued for providing bus or taxi service shall file with the Revenue Collections Department a schedule of fares, in accordance with the following provisions:
1. 
The passenger fares for taxicabs shall be established in accordance with the following standards:
a. 
Generally. A charge for the first portion of a mile, or any fraction thereof and a charge for each additional portion of a mile, or fraction thereof; said distances and charges to be set by the permit holder.
b. 
Waiting Time. A charge set by the certificate of convenience holder for each one (1) minute of waiting time. The first three (3) minutes elapsing prior to the arrival of a passenger at the beginning of the trip shall not be included in computing "waiting time" and in no event shall any time be included as "waiting time" for any period prior to the time fixed for the arrival of the taxicab by the prospective passenger when calling for a cab.
2. 
The certificate of convenience holder shall have the right to establish a fare schedule applicable to all taxicabs or buses owned or operated by said holder. Such schedule shall be filed with the Revenue Collections Department at least thirty (30) days before it shall become effective; provided, however, that the initial or first fare schedule filed by the holder of an existing certificate of convenience, as of the effective date of this Section, or by a holder of a newly issued certificate of convenience shall become effective upon filing with the Revenue Collections Department.
3. 
Rates may not be changed more frequently than every ninety (90) days.
4. 
It shall be unlawful to charge any fare for taxi or bus service other than a fare determined from the schedule filed with the Revenue Collections Department in accordance with this Section.
5. 
Additional Passengers. No driver shall permit any other person to occupy a ride in said taxicab unless the person or persons first employing the taxicab shall consent to the acceptance of an additional passenger or passengers.
6. 
Every taxicab or bus operating under this Article shall have a rate card setting forth the authorized rates of fare displayed in such place as to be in view of all passengers.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.100; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-11; Ord. No. 396 § 15, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 7, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
The driver of any taxicab, livery vehicle or bus shall, upon demand by a passenger, render to such passenger a receipt for the amount charged either by a mechanically printed receipt or by a specifically prepared receipt, on which shall be the name of the owner, the certificate number of said vehicle, amount of charge and the date of the transaction.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.110; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-16; Ord. No. 396 § 2, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
No person shall operate or permit a taxicab, livery vehicle or bus owned or controlled by them to be operated as a vehicle for hire on the streets of the City of Blue Springs, Missouri, without first having obtained a certificate of public convenience and necessity for such vehicle from the Revenue Collections Department.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.120; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-17; Ord. No. 396 § 3, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 1340 § 3, 10-15-1984; Ord. No. 2231 § 9, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A. 
An application for a certificate as herein provided shall be filed with the Revenue Collections Department upon forms provided by the City and shall furnish the following information:
1. 
The name and address of the applicant and the trade name under which they conduct their business; if a corporation, its name, date, and place of incorporation, address of its principal place of business, and the names of its principal officers together with their respective residence addresses; and if a partnership, association, or unincorporated company, the names of the partners or other persons comprising the association or company and the business and residence address of each partner or person.
2. 
Any facts which the applicant believes tend to provide that public convenience and necessity requires the granting of a certificate.
3. 
The number of vehicles to be operated or controlled by the applicant and a description of each vehicle, including make, model, and the year of manufacture, Missouri State license number for the current year and motor or chassis number.
4. 
A proposed fare schedule in compliance with Section 630.090.
5. 
Such further information as the City may reasonably require.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.130; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-18; Ord. No. 396 § 4, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 10, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
All vehicles, taxicab, livery vehicle or bus, to be used shall be equipped with the necessary safety equipment required by the Traffic Code (Title III of the Code of Ordinances) of the City and the laws of the State of Missouri. Failure to provide a safe and adequate vehicle shall be grounds for the revocation of a certificate.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.140; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-19; Ord. No. 396 § 5, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
Where a new certificate is being applied for with said application, any false information contained in such application shall be considered sufficient grounds for denial of said certificate.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.150; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-20; Ord. No. 396 § 6, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 11, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
No certificate shall be issued, renewed, or continued in operation unless the applicant or the holder thereof has paid a license fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00). Any certificate issued under Chapter 630, Article I, shall expire on February 28 of each calendar year. Said license fee shall be in addition to any other license fee or charges established by any business and occupational license ordinance of the City applicable to said holder or the vehicle or vehicles under their operation or control.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.160; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-21; Ord. No. 396 § 7, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 1091 § 2, 11-3-1980; Ord. No. 1118 § 1, 8-3-1981; Ord. No. 2231 § 12, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 3002 § 1, 9-3-1997; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A. 
Before a certificate of public convenience and necessity can be issued, the applicant must file with the Revenue Collections Department a certificate proving insurance coverage for each vehicle to be used as a taxicab, livery or bus for injury to or death of persons in accidents resulting from any cause of which the driver or owner of the vehicle would be liable on account of any liability imposed upon them by law, regardless of whether the taxicab, livery vehicle or bus was being driven by the owner, their agent, or lessee, and against damage to the property of another, including personal property under like circumstances, in the following sums:
1. 
Buses And Livery Vehicles. Not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) for any one (1) person, five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) for any one (1) accident, and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) for property damage in any one (1) accident.
2. 
Taxicabs. Not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) for any one (1) person, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for any one (1) accident, and ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for property damage in any one (1) accident.
B. 
Every insurance policy required shall extend for a period covered by the license applied for, and the insurer shall be obligated to give not less than thirty (30) days' notice in writing to the Revenue Collections Department before cancellation or termination thereof earlier than its expiration date. The cancellation or termination of any such policy shall automatically terminate and revoke the certificate issued to the taxicab, livery vehicle or bus covered by such policy, unless another policy complying with the provisions of this Section shall be provided and be in effect at the time of such cancellation or termination.
[R.O. 1996 § 630.170; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-22; Ord. No. 396 § 8, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 13, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A. 
A certificate of public convenience and necessity may be recommended to be suspended or revoked by the Revenue Collections Department for any or all of the following reasons:
1. 
That a certificate holder has knowingly, and after written notice from the Revenue Collections Department, failed to operate their business in accordance with the provisions of this Article and any and all other ordinances and State and Federal laws applicable to the taxicab, livery vehicle or bus business.
2. 
That a certificate holder has carried on a course of conduct which the City Council may find, after hearing, establishes a lack of good character.
3. 
That the certificate holder has abandoned their operation of the taxicab, livery vehicle, or bus business for a period of ninety (90) days; provided, however, that interruption of business due to mechanical failures, labor disputes, or acts of God shall not be considered an abandonment.
4. 
Continued failure of any holder or employee of a certificate holder to obey and abide by any and all rules of the Traffic Code of the City of Blue Springs, Missouri.
B. 
Prior to any suspension or revocation of a certificate issued hereunder becoming effective, the procedures for hearings and the issuance of decisions set out in Chapter 140 of this Code shall be followed. A holder whose certificate has been revoked will not be issued a new certificate, or have the certificate reinstated, without the City Administrator's approval.
[Ord. No. 4589 § 12, 3-21-2016]
[R.O. 1996 § 630.180; CC 1968 § 21 1/2-23; Ord. No. 396 § 3, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 2231 § 14, 7-6-1992; Ord. No. 4431 § 1, 4-1-2013]
A certificate of convenience and necessity issued hereunder shall be transferable, provided that the purchaser or intended recipient of the certificate shall possess the required qualifications for the original issuance of a certificate. No certificate of public convenience and necessity may be sold, assigned, or otherwise transferred without the written consent of the Revenue Collections Department and the payment of a transfer fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per certificate transferred.