(a) 
The maximum rates and fares that taxicabs may charge are as follows:
(1) 
Flag drop charge: $2.75 plus $0.45 for each fifth of a mile or fraction thereof traveled.
(2) 
For each one minute of waiting time during each trip: $0.42 per minute.
(3) 
Additional fare for passengers in excess of one: $2.00 per additional passenger.
(4) 
For trips originating at or within 300 feet of Sheppard Air Force Base and terminating non-stop at Sikes Senter Mall or Century City/Plaza, and for trips originating at Sikes Senter Mall or Century City/Plaza and terminating non-stop at or within 300 feet of Sheppard Air Force Base, a fixed rate of no more than $20.00 per trip shall be charged regardless of the number of passengers carried.
(5) 
Nothing in this section shall prohibit charges less than the above stated rates and fares.
(b) 
The per-mile surcharge shall be as follows:
City of Wichita Falls
Average Cost per Gallon of Fuel
Per-Mile Surcharge
$3.50 to $3.74
$0.20
$3.75 to $3.99
$0.30
$4.00 to $4.24
$0.40
$4.25 to $4.49
$0.50
$4.50 to $4.74
$0.60
$4.75 to $5.00
$0.70
$5.01 and above
Approved by city council
(c) 
The city council shall have the right to change or establish the maximum rates and fares to be charged by taxicabs or vehicles used for public transportation in the city at any time it deems necessary.
(d) 
Any measurement of distance shall be made by the taximeter of the vehicle operating as a taxicab, provided that such taximeter shall have been inspected and tested for accuracy and shall be in good working order at the time such rate or fare is charged.
(e) 
The director may authorize alternate zone or trip-specific rates to be provided at the option of a customer.
(f) 
Regardless of the fare schedule set else in this section, a minimum taxi fare per ride shall be $5.00.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a) 
Requests for an increase in taxicab rates will be submitted to the director for recommendation to the city council. It shall be the responsibility of the applicants for a rate change to coordinate the application and prove that the rate change is necessary to maintain safe and responsive public transportation. The application for a rate increase shall include at least the following:
(1) 
A cover letter stating the reason for the request of an increase in rates.
(2) 
Comparison of the operating conditions of the taxicab company to the taxicab industry over at least the past two years, to include:
a. 
Gross operating revenues;
b. 
Operating expenses;
c. 
Total miles operated;
d. 
Total paid miles operated;
e. 
Number of passengers carried; and
f. 
Total number of trips.
(3) 
A summary analysis of the items in subsection (a)(2) of this section identifying major operating expense changes necessitating the need for the rate change and the impact on the industry if such change is not granted.
(b) 
The city council will hold a public hearing within 60 days after receipt of the application for a proposed rate change from a majority of the franchise holders.
(c) 
All operational or financial data used in the analysis will be based on the city fiscal year of October 1 to September 30 or by the calendar year.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a) 
A taxicab driver shall not charge a fee in excess of that amount which is computed by the taximeter.
(b) 
A franchise holder may authorize a driver to make a flat-rate charge for a trip to a destination which is not covered in the franchise holder’s approved rates of fare, outside the corporate city limits, if the taximeter is kept in operation while the taxicab has a passenger within the corporate city limits.
(c) 
No charge shall be made against a passenger for any time lost on account of any delay other than that which is defined as waiting time.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the legal fare of any taxicab after having hired the taxicab, and it shall be unlawful for any person to hire any taxicab with intent to defraud the person from whom it is hired of the value of such service. Failure to pay the legal fare shall be presumptive of intent to defraud.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a) 
When a taxicab is not originally engaged for a joint trip, nothing in this article shall authorize the carrying of additional passengers without the consent of the passenger who first engaged the taxicab.
(b) 
When more than one passenger occupies a taxicab at the same time, nothing in this article shall prevent the passengers from dividing the cost of the trip in any manner that they may voluntarily agree upon.
(c) 
The maximum rates of this article are per trip; not per passenger. A driver shall not charge a total fare for operating a taxicab in the city that is in excess of the maximum rates set out in this article, regardless of the number of passengers. Notwithstanding, the additional per-passenger fee may be charged as provided in section 110-86.
(d) 
In the event two or more taxicab passengers are going to the same destination, the driver shall collect only one fare as recorded on the taximeter. If the passengers are going to different destinations, the driver shall clear his taximeter at the first destination and charge the first passenger the amount recorded on the taximeter, and then proceed to the next destination as though it were a completely new trip. Other destinations shall be treated likewise.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a) 
A taximeter must accurately register in legible figures on the basis of both mileage and time under the rates and charges established in this article. Figures denoting the fare must be illuminated when the meter is activated.
(b) 
A taximeter must be mounted in a conspicuous location in the taxicab in a manner approved by the director so that the face of the taximeter and the fare numerals may be easily seen and read by a passenger sitting in any part of the taxicab. A taximeter must be equipped to indicate whether the taxicab is engaged or vacant.
(c) 
If the taximeter employs a flag, the flag must project at least four inches above the dashboard when in the non-earning position.
(d) 
The taximeter or its drive system must be sealed at all points at which components, if manipulated, could affect the function or accuracy of the taximeter.
(e) 
The design of a taximeter is subject to approval by the director to ensure that it complies with this section. No taximeter shall be used on any taxicab the type and design of which has not been approved by the director. Before installing a taximeter, taxicab owners shall submit the type and design of taximeter to the director. If the taximeter is capable of properly and accurately computing and registering on its face the charge for the distance traveled by and the waiting time of the taxicab, then the director shall approve the taximeter.
(f) 
A franchise holder shall cause each taximeter in taxicabs operating under its authority to be maintained in good operating condition and to be tested and sealed at least once each year in accordance with state and city weights and measures laws. The director may establish a schedule of regular testing days and times for purposes of this section. The franchise holder shall submit any vehicle to the director for inspection prior to utilizing a vehicle with a newly installed taximeter.
(g) 
A person commits an offense if he operates or drives a taxicab that is:
(1) 
Not equipped with a taximeter; or
(2) 
Equipped with a taximeter that:
a. 
Does not have a current vehicle permit and lead seal authorized by the director;
b. 
Has been tampered with or altered; or
c. 
Incorrectly registers or computes taxicab fares because of alterations to the taxicab odometer, including, but not limited to, changes in the gears, tires, or wheels of the taxicab.
(h) 
Both the driver and the franchisee shall be responsible for a violation of subsection (g) of this section.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)