(a)
A person
may not represent that a vehicle is a taxicab if the vehicle is not
in fact a taxicab authorized by operating authority granted under
this chapter.
(b)
A person
may not drive a vehicle that is not a taxicab in the city if the vehicle
is marked, painted, or equipped in a way that is likely to result
in mistaking the vehicle for a taxicab.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
(a)
The
director may by regulation establish requirements for size, condition,
and accessories of taxicabs used by a taxicab owner or driver.
(b)
The
director shall inspect each taxicab for compliance with this chapter
and regulations before it is placed in service, at regular inspections,
and at such times as determined by the director. The director shall
complete a city inspection form and shall maintain such form as a
public record. If any inspection reveals that the vehicle is unsafe
or does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or state law
the vehicle owner shall remove the vehicle from service.
(c)
A holder,
owner, or driver shall make a taxicab available for inspection when
ordered by the director. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse
to allow the director to inspect any vehicle used as a taxicab operating
in the city pursuant to this chapter.
(d)
If,
upon inspection, the director determines that a taxicab is not in
compliance with this chapter or regulations, the director shall order
the taxicab to be brought into compliance within a reasonable period
of time and require it to be re-inspected. The owner shall pay a ten
dollar ($10.00) fee for each re-inspection of a taxicab that is required
before it is brought into compliance.
(e)
If a
holder, owner, or driver fails to make a taxicab available for inspection
or if the director determines that a taxicab is not in compliance
with this chapter or regulations, the director may order the taxicab
removed from service until it is made available for inspection and
brought into compliance.
(f)
If the
director determines that inspection of the mechanical condition or
safety equipment of a taxicab by an expert mechanic or technician
is necessary, the holder, owner, or driver shall pay the cost of the
inspection.
(g)
Before
any taxicab will be approved for service, the holder or owner shall
provide the director with a copy of the registration for the vehicle
with the state, or a bill of sale if the vehicle is new and has not
yet been registered, showing the name of the individual or holder
owning the vehicle. The owner shown on the registration or bill of
sale provided to the director shall notify the director of any change
in ownership of the taxicab within ten (10) business days.
(h)
Taxicab
inspections conducted by the director shall be limited to those items
observable by a layperson by external visual inspection. Items to
be inspected shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
vehicle identification number; taxicab number; head lamps; tail lamps;
license plate lights; dome light; horn; windshield wipers; heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning systems; presence of fire extinguisher;
spare tire; the condition of the tires, passenger compartment, rearview
mirrors; all windows; overall cleanliness; safety; condition of paint;
color scheme; taximeter readings; rate card; required signage; fumes;
permanent state license plates and current registration sticker; mileage;
accuracy of taximeter, and condition of the body of the vehicle.
(i)
Each
inspection may include a ride-along inspection ride of up to one (1)
hour’s duration as deemed necessary by the director.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
(a)
Unless
otherwise specified in the operating authority under which a taxicab
is operated or by regulation of the director, and in addition to other
equipment required by this chapter, a holder, owner, or driver shall
provide and maintain in good operating condition the following equipment
for each taxicab:
(1)
Seat
belts for each passenger, the number of which is determined by the
designed seating capacity of the taxicab;
(2)
Heater
and air conditioner;
(3)
Chemical-type
fire extinguisher, of at least one (1) quart capacity, readily accessible
for immediate use;
(4)
Map
of the city;
(6)
Taxicab
display receptacle;
(7)
Rates
of fare cards or stickers; and
(8)
Taximeter.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
A holder shall develop the design of a color scheme and distinctive
markings for taxicabs operating under its authority, and shall submit
the design to the director for approval to insure that the design
is readily distinguishable from the design used by other holders.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
A holder shall cause each taxicab operating under its authority
to be provided with the following uniform vehicle identification:
(1)
Every
taxicab shall have on the door of the cab the name of the owner or
the assumed name under which the owner operates, together with the
company’s telephone number and the cab number.
(2)
The
number of the cab and the owner or the assumed name under which the
owner operates, shall be stenciled or painted upon the rear of any
such vehicle. Such lettering, stencil and/or paint must be kept legible
at all times.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
(a)
The
holder, owner, or driver of a taxicab shall obtain a permit card from
the city secretary’s office, indicating the taxicab’s
authority to operate, which shall show there on the date of expiration
of the permit to operate a taxicab applicable to such vehicle. The
permit card must be attached to the front windshield of the taxicab
in a manner approved by the director.
(b)
A person
commits an offense if he:
(1)
Operates
a taxicab with an expired permit card or with no permit card affixed
to it;
(2)
Attaches
a permit card to a vehicle not authorized to operate as a taxicab;
(3)
Forges,
alters, or counterfeits a taxicab permit card required by this section;
(4)
Possesses
a forged, altered, or counterfeited taxicab permit card required by
this section; or
(5)
Displays
more than one (1) taxicab permit cards issued by the city on a vehicle
at the same time.
(c)
A taxicab
permit card assigned to one (1) person is not transferable to another
without consent of the director.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
(a)
Whenever
a vehicle is removed from service or is no longer authorized to operate
as a taxicab, the holder, owner, or driver shall remove from the vehicle
all taxicab signs, markings, and equipment that would distinguish
the vehicle as a taxicab, including, but not limited to, radios, top
lights, meters, and decals.
(b)
A holder,
owner, or driver of a taxicab shall not sell or transfer to a driver
any radio, top light, meter, or other equipment that would distinguish
a vehicle as a taxicab.
(Ordinance O-19-032, sec. 3, adopted 9/5/19)
