The following words and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them as follows:
Every person in actual charge of the operation of a taxicab,
whether as owner or agent, servant or employee of the owner.
Any person who has the control, direction, maintenance and
the benefit of the collection of revenue derived from the operation
of taxicabs on or over the streets or public ways of the city, whether
as an owner or otherwise, except a “driver.”
A written document issued by the chief of police or his/her
designated representative granting the applicant the authority to
engage in the business of transportation by taxicab.
Any place which the drivers of taxicabs, or chauffeurs of
taxicabs, shall use to receive calls from the dispatcher as such calls
may be relayed from the taxistand, and shall likewise mean and embrace
that space and area used by taxicabs in waiting for passengers.
Every automobile or other motor-propelled vehicle used for
transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the
city, and not over a definite or fixed route, and irrespective of
whether or not the operations extend beyond the corporate limits of
the city, at rates for distance traveled, or for waiting time, or
for both, or at rates per hour, per week, or per month, which vehicle
is routed to the destination under the direction of any passenger
or any person hiring the same; provided, however, the term “taxicab”
shall not apply to city buses operated within the city over a fixed
route, nor shall such term apply to city buses regularly operated
in the city along fixed routes to and from points outside the corporate
limits of the city, nor shall such term apply to motor vehicles regularly
engaged in interstate commerce.
The taxi depot at which place the taxicabs shall be housed
or parked, and at which place the telephone calls and requests for
service shall be made, and at which place a dispatcher shall control
the movements of the taxicabs to the points of request for taxicab
service. This term shall likewise be synonymous with “taxi terminal”
and shall mean and embrace that space and area of land and buildings
off the streets of the city, and upon private property, which shall
be and constitute the main office of the owner and taxicab operator.
Such time as may be consumed or lost at the special instance
and request of a passenger after such passenger has first entered
the taxicab to make a trip and before reaching his/her final destination.
No charge shall be made against a passenger for any time lost on account
of any other delay whatsoever.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-251; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Fares which may be charged by any person engaged in the operation
of a taxicab business within the city shall first be approved by the
city manager, and it shall be unlawful for any taxicab operator to
charge any fare not so approved. The taxicab operator shall display
in each taxicab operated by him a list of approved fares which may
be charged for taxicab service.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-252)
Every taxicab shall have painted or decaled on each side and
the rear of the cab the name in which the owner operates.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-253)
No taxicab for which a permit shall have been granted shall
be operated by any person except the permittee thereof, or an employee
of the permittee.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-254; Ordinance
adopting Code)
The owner or operator of taxicabs shall be responsible for the
acts of negligence of any driver of a taxicab who shall drive such
taxicab with the knowledge or with the consent of such owner or operator
of taxicabs.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-261(4))
Acts prohibited:
(1)
Taxi
driver consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.
(2)
Taxi
driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(3)
Taxi
driver allowing customers to consume alcohol or drugs.
(4)
Taxi
driver taking medication that impairs vision and/or impairs judgment
or driving.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-261(5))
Every driver of a taxi must hold a valid driver’s license
issued by the state which permits carrying passengers for hire.
(2000 Code, sec. 7-261(6))
