The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Business office
means a place where business is conducted.
Conduct a taxicab business
means the use of one or more taxicabs within the corporate limits of the city, by the owner thereof, for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, either by driving the same himself or having the same driven by some other person, provided that this definition shall not apply to any licensed chauffeur hired as a driver by any person holding a permit to conduct a taxicab business in the city.
Taxicab
means a private passenger for-hire vehicle, however propelled, providing passenger transportation services in vehicles designed for carrying no more than eight passengers.
(1973 Code, secs. 29-1, 29-14; 1991 Code, sec. 30-1; 2007 Code, sec. 48-19)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to passenger buses operating under the regulations of the state railroad commission, and coming into or passing through the city, for the purpose of loading and unloading passengers.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-2; 1991 Code, sec. 30-2; 2007 Code, sec. 48-20)
The city council shall have the power to fix the rates, charges and fares of all taxicabs operating within the city. There shall be displayed in a permanent place within every taxicab doing business within the city a map showing the various areas of the city and designating the fare to be charged in each area.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-3; 1991 Code, sec. 30-3; 2007 Code, sec. 48-21)
If any owner, driver, licensee or operator of any taxicab shall refuse to convey a passenger at the rate specified on the rate card displayed in the taxicab and shall demand and receive an amount in excess of the rates displayed on the card, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-4; 1991 Code, sec. 30-4; 2007 Code, sec. 48-22)
It shall be unlawful for any person conducting a taxicab business in the city to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, as a taxicab, any vehicle not owned or leased by him.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-6; 1991 Code, sec. 30-5; 2007 Code, sec. 48-23)
It shall be unlawful to carry more than five passengers in any taxicab, and in no event shall more than two passengers ride in the front seat with the driver.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-8; 1991 Code, sec. 30-6; 2007 Code, sec. 48-24)
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab driver or owner to knowingly transport any criminal, narcotics peddler, prostitute, bootlegger or any other person in the commission of a crime or infraction of the law in any manner.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-9; 1991 Code, sec. 30-7; 2007 Code, sec. 48-25)
No driver of a taxicab or owner of a taxicab shall engage in selling alcoholic beverages or soliciting business for any person selling alcoholic beverages.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-12; 1991 Code, sec. 30-10; 2007 Code, sec. 48-28)
No driver of a taxicab 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.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-13; 1991 Code, sec. 30-11; 2007 Code, sec. 48-29)
Any person conducting a taxicab business within the city shall maintain a business office within reasonable proximity to the city, and shall provide 24 hours per day telephone access for the purpose of receiving requests for service and service complaints.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-14; 1991 Code, sec. 30-12; Ordinance 00-554, secs. 1, 6, adopted 2/24/00; 2007 Code, sec. 48-30)
Taxicab companies shall not be allowed to advertise for any business whose primary source of revenue is from the sale of alcoholic beverages.
(1991 Code, sec. 30-13; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 48-31)