Cross Reference — As to licenses and business regulations, ch. 605.
State Law Reference — Authority to regulate vehicles for hire, §94.110, RSMo.
[R.O. 2007 §35-1; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016[1]]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
DRIVER
Every person physically in charge of or driving a taxicab/limousine.
LICENSE
The privilege granted by the City to a person to engage in the operation of a taxicab/limousine business within the City.
LIMOUSINE
See "taxicab."
OWNER
Any person having control of the operation or maintenance and collection of the revenue of taxicabs/limousines.
PERMIT
A permit granted by the City to the driver of a taxicab/limousine.
STREET
Any street, alley, avenue, lane, public place or highway within the City.
TAXICAB/LIMOUSINE
Means and includes any motor vehicle engaged in the business of carrying persons for hire on the streets of the City whether the same is operated from a street stand or from a garage, where no regular or specific route is traveled but passengers are taken to and from such places as they may designate; whether the charge therefor is made on the basis of distance traveled as indicated by a taximeter or basis of distance traveled as indicated by a taximeter or speedometer attached thereto, or by any other method of determining distance, such as by zoning system or otherwise, or the time consumed in traveling, or on any other basis whatever. Limousines and limousine services shall be included in the above definition of motor vehicles engaged in the business of carrying persons for hire.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also amended the title of this Chapter, which was formerly Taxicabs.
[R.O. 2007 §35-2; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4163 §1, 2-2-1976; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
No person shall engage in, operate or conduct a taxicab/limousine business within the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, without first obtaining a license to do so and paying the license tax therefor.
B. 
Licenses may be granted to individuals in their own name or to corporations together with the owner or manager of said corporation. All applications of corporations shall state the names and addresses of all owners and managers of said corporation and the license if issued shall be in the name of the corporation and the owner or manager. Any change in ownership or management of said corporation shall operate as a forfeiture of said license.
C. 
No person, corporation or partnership shall be granted more than one (1) license.
D. 
No license shall be granted to any corporation or partnership which is principally owned, operated or managed by any person, corporation or partnership which has a financial interest in any other taxicab/limousine license, whether owned by him/her personally or through another corporation or partnership.
E. 
Each license holder shall have a separate principal place of business, and no more than one (1) taxicab/limousine business shall be operated out of the same business location.
[R.O. 2007 §35-2.1; Ord. No. 6493 §1, 6-3-2002; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
Each license granted hereunder shall be granted for the operation of a specific number of taxicabs/limousines to be operated under such license to be not less than two (2) taxicabs. An applicant for a license to operate more than six (6) taxicabs shall obtain the prior written approval to operate all cabs in excess of six (6) taxicabs. A license providing for the operation of more than six (6) taxicabs shall be granted only upon the written approval of the City Manager. There shall be no minimum limitation on limousines.
B. 
In the event any license holder shall fail to have in service for a continuous period of thirty (30) calendar days at least two (2) taxicabs/limousines, the City Council may terminate that license.
[R.O. 2007 §35-3; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4163 §3, 2-2-1976; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
Any person desiring to secure a license to engage in, operate or conduct a taxicab/limousine business within the City shall file with the City Clerk a written application therefor, in duplicate, giving the following information:
1. 
The full name and address of the applicant; if a partnership, the name and address of all the partners; if a corporation, the name and address of all the officers and directors, the trade name under which the applicant does or proposes to do business and the address of the principal place of business of the applicant.
2. 
The number of taxicabs/limousines actually owned by the applicant and the number held by it under lease, if any.
3. 
The make, model, motor number and serial number of each taxicab/limousine and the registered owner; provided, however, that the make, model, motor number and serial number of each new motor vehicle included in the application may be supplied by the applicant and endorsed on the application at any time prior to the actual issuance of the license by the City Collector.
4. 
The experience, if any, the applicant has had in such business. Such application shall be sworn to before a notary public or other officer duly authorized to administer oaths.
B. 
The license, if granted by the City Council, shall authorize the operation of only those vehicles listed on said application or those authorized as replacements or substitutes as provided for herein.
C. 
No license holder shall operate any taxicab/limousine not properly licensed.
[R.O. 2007 §35-4; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Upon the filing of any application for a license under this Chapter and the granting of said license would not increase the number of taxicabs/limousines authorized and licensed by the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the City Council shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether such license shall be granted or not.
[R.O. 2007 §35-5; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Upon the filing of any application for a license under this Chapter and the granting of said license would increase the number of taxicab businesses or vehicles authorized and licensed by the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the City shall first give notice of said application to all other taxicab business owners licensed by the City. If, within ten (10) days after said notice, no licensed taxicab business owner shall have filed any written objection to the granting of said license, the City Council shall determine in its sole discretion whether such license shall be granted or not.
[R.O. 2007 §35-6; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4163 §4, 2-2-1976; Ord. No. 6493 §1, 6-3-2002; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Upon the filing of an objection to the issuance of a license under this Article, the City Council shall thereupon proceed to conduct a hearing upon such application giving at least ten (10) days' written notice by mail of such hearing to the applicant and to all existing holders of taxicab licenses. At such hearing and before any license shall be issued, the applicant shall be required to show by evidence satisfactory to the Council that upon the granting of such application the applicant will maintain at least one (1) taxicab stand and principal place of business and have in actual and continuous operation therefrom at least two (2) taxicabs; that the applicant is or will be upon the issuance of the license the actual bona fide owner or lessee with sole right of control of all taxicab/limousines described in the application for license; that all of said taxicabs/limousines are in good mechanical condition and that the public convenience and necessity will be served by the granting of such license. Any person may appear and be heard in opposition to or in support of any such application.
[R.O. 2007 §35-7; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
In determining whether the public convenience or necessity will be served by the granting of an application for a license under this Article, the Council may take into consideration the number of taxicabs operated by the applicant, his/her or its facilities for furnishing transportation by taxicab and any other matters which the City Council may deem relevant upon the applicant's ability to conduct a taxicab business with safety to those using the streets of the City and for the convenience of the public.
[R.O. 2007 §35-8; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4354 §2, 11-6-1978; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No person shall be granted a license under the provisions of this Chapter unless such person is of good moral character, a citizen of the United States and a resident of Butler County, Missouri. Nor shall any such license be issued to any person who has been convicted of any felony within seven (7) years of the date of the application for said license or who has been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude at any time or who has been convicted of any misdemeanor within one (1) year of the date of the application for said license. The City Council shall be the sole judge of the moral character of any applicant.
[R.O. 2007 §35-9; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Upon the completion of the hearing required by this Article, the City Council shall in due course and without delay grant or deny the applicant a license to operate a taxicab business within the City.
[R.O. 2007 §35-10; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 6319 §1, 11-6-2000; Ord. No. 6573 §1, 2-3-2003; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
No license to engage in a taxicab/limousine business shall be issued until and after the applicant has filed with the City Clerk and the same has been approved by the City Clerk a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to transact business in Missouri, which liability insurance shall bind the insurer to make compensation with respect to each taxicab/limousine operated by the applicant as follows:
1. 
Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident;
2. 
One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident; and
3. 
Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of any others in any one (1) accident.
4. 
Alternatively, an applicant may obtain a combined single limit policy of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00).
B. 
The liability insurance policy required by this Section shall be in full force and effect at all times during the period of time for which such license has been issued. If such insurance be canceled or for any reason whatsoever be not in force or effect during such period, the license shall automatically be revoked.
[R.O. 2007 §35-11; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4145 §1, 8-4-1975; Ord. No. 4163 §5, 2-2-1976; Ord. No. 4398 §2, 6-4-1979; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
Each licensee under this Chapter shall pay an annual license fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for the operation of four (4) taxicab/limousines. In addition, the licensee shall pay the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per annum per taxicab/limousine for all taxicab/limousines licensed in excess of four (4) taxicab/limousines.
[Ord. No. 19-58, 9-16-2019]
B. 
Even though a taxicab/limousine business may be sold and a new owner-operator granted a new license for such business, only one (1) license fee shall be required for any one (1) business for any one (1) calendar year so long as the business remains substantially the same after the sale as it was prior to the sale.
[R.O. 2007 §35-12; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
After any applicant has been granted a license and has met all the qualifications required by this Chapter, the City Clerk shall endorse upon one (1) copy of the application file "License Approved," together with the date of such approval and shall deliver the same to the City Collector. The City Collector shall, upon the payment of the appropriate license tax, issue and deliver such license to the applicant together with the sticker or plate for each taxicab/limousine covered by the license.
B. 
The Collector shall keep a record of the number of the taxicab/limousine stickers or plates issued to each licensee together with the make, model and motor number of the taxicab/limousine for which each was issued.
[R.O. 2007 §35-13; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
All licenses issued under the provisions of this Chapter shall be for the calendar year in which they are issued and shall expire on the 31st day of December following its date of issuance.
[R.O. 2007 §35-14; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
After any license shall have been issued under this Chapter, the licensee shall be entitled to a renewal thereof for the succeeding year, provided that the licensee made written application for said renewal and pays the required license fee prior to the expiration of his/her license and further provided that the applicant still meets all the qualifications of a new applicant.
[R.O. 2007 §35-15; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No person shall operate a taxicab/limousine in the City limits of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, except as licensed to do so by the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. However, any licensed owner may allow his/her operators to purchase or lease the taxicab/limousines licensed by his/her business and such purchasers or lessees may operate the taxicab/limousines they are purchasing or leasing so long as the City Clerk is furnished a list of the owner, purchaser or lessee and so long as the purchaser or lessee otherwise qualified as operator under the ordinances of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and the Statutes of the State of Missouri. Nothing contained herein shall relieve the license holder from all duties and responsibilities under this Chapter, and such licensee shall be fully responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of all taxicab/limousines operating under his/her license, regardless of ownership of any such taxicab/limousine.
[R.O. 2007 §35-16; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4657 §1, 3-1-1982; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
Suspensions. If a written complaint is filed with the office of the City Manager alleging that the operation or conduct of a taxicab/limousine business within the City of Poplar Bluff is presenting an immediate danger to public safety or severe menace to the general welfare, the City Manager shall immediately investigate said complaint. If the City Manager concludes that there is reasonable grounds for probable cause to believe the complaint is true, the City Manager shall notify the person or parties responsible for such conduct and operations and direct them to cease and desist within twenty-four (24) hours of said notice. If said person or parties continue to operate the taxicab/limousine business in such a manner, the City Manager is authorized and directed to suspend the license or licenses of the taxicab/limousine business or licensee involved in such conduct or operations. Such suspension shall remain in effect until the next regular meeting of the City Council at which the matter will be presented for resolution.
B. 
Revocations. If a suspension identified in Subsection (A) hereof is brought to the City Council for resolution, or if, at anytime, the Council is of the opinion that any licensee heretofore granted a license to engage in, operate or conduct a taxicab or limousine business is engaged in any unlawful calling or has violated any provisions of this Chapter or any other applicable provisions of this Code, City ordinances, State or Federal Statutes or is conducting such business in such a manner as to constitute a danger to public safety or a menace to the general welfare and well-being of the City or that such licensee has otherwise become unqualified, unfit or incapable of engaging in, operating or conducting a taxicab/limousine business or that the operation of a taxicab/limousine business by such licensee does not serve the public convenience and necessity, then the Council may, after due hearing, revoke said license.
C. 
Procedure. After action by the City Manager or complaint presented directly to the Council, the Council may revoke the license of said licensee or licensees as is appropriate. However, no revocation shall take place until after the holder of such license or licenses shall have received reasonable notice of the Council's intention to consider revocation and after having been afforded a hearing before the Council, at which hearing the licensee or licensees shall be permitted to appear and to offer such testimony in his/her or their behalf as may be relevant to the question of the revocation of such license or licenses.
[R.O. 2007 §35-17; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
No licensee shall operate more taxicabs or any limousines other than those included in the license unless and until application shall have been made and approved increasing the number of taxicab/limousines to be operated by the licensee. Said application for additional taxicab/limousines shall be filed with the City Clerk, shall state the name and address of the licensee, the number of taxicab/limousines sought to be licensed, together with make, model, motor number and serial number of each, and whether the same are owned or licensed by the licensee and the reasons for requesting license for additional taxicab/limousines; provided, however, that the make, model, motor number and serial number of each new motor vehicle included in the application for additional taxicab/limousines may be supplied by the applicant and endorsed on the application at any time prior to the actual issuance of the license by the City Collector.
B. 
The same proceeding shall be had by the Council upon said application as is provided for the granting of an original license under this Article.
[R.O. 2007 §35-18; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
Any licensee under the provisions of this Article may substitute other taxicabs or limousines in place of that or those for which the license is granted upon supplying the following information and meeting the following conditions:
1. 
The name and address of the licensee.
2. 
The make, model, motor number and serial number of both the substituted taxicabs or limousines and the vehicles which are being replaced.
3. 
Proof that the licensee is a bona fide owner or lessee with sole right of control of the taxicab or limousines sought to be substituted.
4. 
A certificate from a qualified mechanic showing that the substitute taxicabs or limousines have been inspected and are in good mechanical condition.
5. 
A certificate from the City Clerk that the taxicabs or limousines sought to be substituted have been included in and are covered under the liability insurance policy of the licensee.
B. 
Thereupon the Collector, upon the payment of fifty cents ($0.50) for each sticker or plate issued, shall issue to the licensee stickers or plates for each substituted taxicab/limousine and shall note on his/her record the substitution made.
C. 
When any substitution is made under the provisions hereof, the licensee shall promptly remove the license sticker or plate from the taxicab/limousine for which another was substituted and the same shall not thereafter be used, unless and until it shall be substituted for another taxicab/limousine under the provision hereof.
[R.O. 2007 §35-19; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
The City Clerk shall assign a license number to each vehicle to be operated under a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. The licensee shall cause to be painted on the rear door of each side of each taxicab/limousine the permit number issued by the City Clerk, the number of taxicab/limousines authorized by said permit or license and the car number of that particular vehicle assigned by the licensee. The numbers assigned by the licensee shall be consecutive numbers beginning with one (1) and ending with the highest number of taxicab/limousines authorized under that permit or license. The numbers and letters shall be uniform and shall be at least four (4) inches high with three-quarter-inch brush stroke.
[R.O. 2007 §35-20; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No license issued under the provisions of this Chapter shall be transferred, sold or assigned, and any attempt by a licensee to do so shall automatically revoke said license.
[R.O. 2007 §35-21; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No person shall operate a taxicab/limousine for hire within the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, without first obtaining a permit from the City to do so.
[R.O. 2007 §35-22; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4354 §3, 11-6-1978; Ord. No. 4508 §1, 9-2-1980; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No person shall be granted a permit under the provisions of this Chapter unless such person is of good moral character, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Butler County, Missouri, and has a valid Missouri chauffeur's license. Nor shall any such permit be issued to any person who has been convicted of any felony within seven (7) years of the date of the application for said permit or who has been convicted of any misdemeanor within one (1) year of the date of the application for said permit or who, at any time, has been convicted of a sexual offense, prostitution, gambling, pornography, offenses involving controlled substances or in which the use of a dangerous and deadly weapon was involved. The City Council shall be the sole judge of the moral character of any applicant applying contemporary community standards.
[R.O. 2007 §35-23; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Application blanks for a permit required by this Article may be obtained from the Chief of Police. Each application for a permit shall contain the name, age and address of the applicant, as well as a statement whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony, the violation of any Federal or State Statute relating to the use, possession or sale of intoxicating liquors and any Federal or State Statute relating to prostitution or any Federal or State Statute relating to the use, possession or sale of narcotic drugs, whether such applicant is a citizen of the United States, whether the applicant is an habitual user of intoxicating liquors or narcotic drugs, whether the applicant has been an habitual violator of traffic laws and ordinances and the prospective employment of such applicant.
[R.O. 2007 §35-24; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Each applicant for a taxicab/limousine driver's permit shall pass an examination as to his/her ability and fitness to operate a taxicab/limousine, to his/her general knowledge of the traffic laws of this State and the traffic regulations of the City as the City Collector may prescribe. If such applicant shall fail to pass such examination, no permit shall be issued. Before any taxicab/limousine driver's permit is issued by the City Collector, the applicant shall also furnish his/her photograph and fingerprint record and when such permit is issued, the City Collector shall issue to the applicant an identification card which shall show the name, age, sex and residence of the person to whom such permit is issued together with the date of the issuance thereof.
[R.O. 2007 §35-25; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7376 §2, 12-3-2012; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016; Ord. No. 19-58, 9-16-2019]
A fee of ten dollars ($10.00) shall be made for the issuance of a taxicab/limousine driver's permit.
[R.O. 2007 §35-26; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Every taxicab/limousine driver shall, at all times while operating a taxicab/limousine upon the streets of the City, carry and display in such vehicle the taxicab/limousine driver's permit required by this Article. Such permits shall contain thereon the name, age, sex and residence of such driver. Such permit shall also have attached thereto a photograph of the driver. Every such driver shall, upon request of any passenger, give to such passenger his/her correct name and address and any other information which will serve to identify the driver and the operator of the taxicab/limousine to the passenger.
[R.O. 2007 §35-27; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
All permits shall expire on the 31st day of December following the date of issuance.
[R.O. 2007 §35-28; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No permit issued under the provisions of this Article shall be transferable.
[R.O. 2007 §35-29; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
Every such permit shall be subject to cancellation by the City Manager for any one (1) or more of the following causes:
1. 
Violation of State or Federal laws relating to alcoholic beverages, narcotics or prostitution.
2. 
Failure to report accidents.
3. 
Willful failure to comply with any provisions of this Chapter or other ordinances or other laws relating to the operation of taxicab/limousines.
4. 
Violating ordinances fixing fares.
5. 
Making a false statement in application for permit.
6. 
Violation of State laws permitting or requiring the suspension or revocation of driver's license.
7. 
Repeated and persistent violation of traffic and safety ordinances.
8. 
Physical disability or physical affliction which would materially impair his/her ability to drive a taxicab/limousine.
9. 
The violation of State, Federal or local laws involving moral turpitude.
[R.O. 2007 §35-30; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No person shall operate as a taxicab/limousine for hire within the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, any vehicle except one that is licensed and registered with the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, as herein provided.
[R.O. 2007 §35-31; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4422 §1, 9-4-1979; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Every vehicle used as a taxicab/limousine shall be inspected for mechanical and safety defects at least once every six (6) months by a qualified mechanic approved by the City Manager to make such inspections. A copy of the report of such inspections shall be submitted to the City Clerk, by the supervisor of the department to which the mechanic belongs, immediately following each such inspection. Nothing to the contrary herein withstanding, taxicab/limousine inspections may be conducted more frequently if, in the opinion of the City Manager, more frequent inspections are deemed necessary. Whenever the mechanic deems a taxicab/limousine unsafe or unfit for taxicab/limousine use, the license for such vehicle shall be suspended until such time as the necessary corrections are made so as to insure that said taxicab/limousine is safe and fit. During the suspension of said license, said taxicab/limousine shall not be used to transport passengers for hire. The City Clerk shall notify the owner of said unsafe and unfit taxicab/limousine of such an unsafe or unfit report and the suspension of the license. All inspection costs shall be paid by the licensee.
[R.O. 2007 §35-32; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be a violation of this Chapter for any taxicab owner under the provisions hereof or any driver to engage in the practice commonly known as "cruising," that is, in driving over any established route of any other carrier and picking up passengers thereon.
[R.O. 2007 §35-33; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any taxicab/limousine to move the same or cause the same to be moved after a collision or accident involving such taxicab/limousine, until such driver has first reported the same to the Police Department and a Police Officer has arrived at the scene of such accident and authorizes the removal of such taxicab/limousine.
[R.O. 2007 §35-34; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab owner or operator to refuse to carry or transport any orderly person anywhere in the City, unless previously engaged or unable to do so.
[R.O. 2007 §35-35; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be unlawful to carry in a taxicab more than five (5) passengers in any taxicab and in no event shall more than two (2) passengers ride in the front seat with the driver.
[R.O. 2007 §35-36; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No driver of a taxicab/limousine or owner of a taxicab/limousine shall engage in selling intoxicating liquors or soliciting business for any person selling intoxicating liquors.
[R.O. 2007 §35-37; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No driver of a taxicab/limousine shall pick up and deliver an intoxicating alcoholic beverage to or for any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years. Nor shall any driver pick up or deliver any intoxicating beverage at any time or place that sales of such items are otherwise prohibited by law or ordinance. No such item shall be picked up or delivered unless or until the item is sealed and packaged and the name of the seller, the date and time of the pickup is written on said package by the seller.
[R.O. 2007 §35-39; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
No driver of a taxicab/limousine shall receive or discharge passengers in the roadway of any street, but shall drive 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.
[R.O. 2007 §35-40; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
While a taxicab is engaged by any fare-paying passenger, the driver of said taxicab shall not permit any other person to occupy or ride in said taxicab, unless the person or persons first employing the taxicab shall consent to the acceptance of an additional passenger or passengers.
[R.O. 2007 §35-41; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975]
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab/limousine driver or owner to knowingly act in any manner as a panderer or pimp for prostitutes or as contact for unlawful establishments of any character or to knowingly transport any passenger to the abode of a prostitute for the purpose of engaging in an unlawful act.
[R.O. 2007 §35-42; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab/limousine driver or owner to knowingly transport any criminal, narcotic peddler, prostitute, bootlegger or any other person in the commission of a crime or infraction of the law in any manner.
[R.O. 2007 §35-42.1; Ord. No. 6493 §2, 6-3-2002; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
A. 
A. It shall be the duty of every taxicab/limousine driver to:
1. 
Obey and fully comply with the traffic regulations of the City applicable to drivers of motor vehicles;
2. 
Maintain the taxicab/limousine in a clean and orderly condition;
3. 
Operate only such vehicles as are known to its driver to be in good working order and to abstain from any taxicab/limousine suspected or known to be in an unsafe condition;
4. 
Be clean and neat in person and dress while operating a taxicab/limousine;
5. 
Operate the taxicab/limousine in such manner as will not obstruct or hinder the usual flow of traffic, nor obstruct the entrance or exits of any premises open to the public;
6. 
Convey any orderly person, upon request by signal or telephone call, unless the taxicab/limousine is previously engaged;
7. 
Abstain from smoking and the use of profane language while operating a taxicab/limousine;
8. 
Search the taxicab/limousine interior, immediately after the termination of any hiring or employment, for any property lost or left therein; and any such property, unless sooner claimed or delivered to the owner, shall be taken to the Police station and deposited with the officer in charge, taken written receipt therefor, within twenty-four (24) hours of its discovery.
[R.O. 2007 §35-47; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 4933 §7, 12-2-1985; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Each and every taxicab operated on the streets of the City shall have affixed thereto at a location in plain view of any passenger therein a placard setting out the rates for taxicab services, and such rates shall be so shown thereon as to be readily visible to and readable by any occupant of such taxicab.
[R.O. 2007 §35-48; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be unlawful for any driver of a taxicab/limousine to demand or receive a fee or charge for taxicab/limousine services to any person to whom said driver has not rendered said service under the contemplation of this Chapter.
[R.O. 2007 §35-49; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the legal fare of any taxicab/limousine after having hired the same.
[R.O. 2007 §35-51; Ord. No. 4133 §2, 6-2-1975; Ord. No. 7697 §§1 — 2, 4-18-2016]
Any driver who shall be convicted twice of violating this Chapter shall have his/her permit to operate a taxicab/limousine revoked and shall not thereafter be issued a permit to operate or own a taxicab/limousine within the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.