As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section.
"Waiting time"
shall include all time when a taxicab occupied or engaged
by a passenger is not in motion or traveling at a speed which is slow
enough for the time rate to exceed the mileage rate, and the time
consumed while standing at the direction of the passenger or person
who has engaged such taxicab.
(Code 1957, § 6624(b))
The violation of any provision of this chapter or the failure
of anyone holding a license required by this chapter to observe all
provisions of this chapter shall be grounds for the refusal of an
application or the revoking of a license issued under this chapter
and in addition, shall constitute a misdemeanor for each day during
which any automobile is operated upon the public streets of this city
in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(Code 1957, § 6641)
The chief of police or his designee shall have the right at
any time after displaying proper identification to enter into or upon
any licensed taxicab for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not
any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated.
(Code 1957, § 6624.2(b); Ord. No. 96-36, § 1, 11-20-96)
Any taxicab which is found, after an inspection authorized by
section 26-3, to be unsafe or in any way unsuitable for taxicab service
may be immediately ordered out of service, and before again placing
in service shall be placed in a safe condition.
(Code 1957, § 6624.2(c))
In the event that the service of any taxicab is discontinued,
except for causes beyond the control of the license, the council may
give written notice to the licensee to restore such taxicab service.
(Code 1957, § 6622)
If the service of any taxicab is not restored within five days
after notice to do so by the council is given, the council may, at
its discretion, revoke the license for such taxicab.
(Code 1957, § 6623)
Every taxicab operated under the provisions of this chapter
shall be operated regularly to the extent reasonably necessary to
meet the public demand for taxicab service.
(Code 1957, § 6621)
No person shall drive or operate a taxicab in the City of Escondido
unless such person has a taxicab driver's identification card issued
by the sheriff of the County of San Diego.
(Code 1957, § 6627; Ord. No. 73-35, § 1, 8-1-73)
All disputes as to taxicab fares shall be determined by the
officer in charge of the police station nearest to the place where
the dispute is had. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail or
refuse to comply with such determination by the police officer.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(c))
It shall be unlawful for any owner, driver or operator of a
taxicab to demand of a passenger a charge for hire other than the
current applicable rate approved by the council and on file with the
city clerk.
(Code 1957, § 6624(e))
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the lawful
fare of any of the taxicabs regulated by this chapter after employing
or hiring the same.
(Code 1957, § 66024.3(d))
Every taxicab driver shall, upon request of a passenger, give
a receipt upon payment of the fare.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(b))
There shall be displayed in the passenger compartment of each
taxicab in full view of the passengers a card not less than two inches
by four inches in size, which shall have plainly printed thereon the
name of the owner, or the fictitious name under which the owner operates,
the business address and telephone number of the owner and a schedule
of the current authorized rates to be charged for hire of the vehicle.
(Code 1957, § 6624(f))
Each taxicab licensed to operate in the city shall have located
in a convenient place in the driver's compartment and in view of the
passengers therein a container of type and design approved by the
chief of police. Such container shall contain a card provided by the
chief of police, visible to the passengers, bearing the following
information:
(1) The
number of the taxicab driver's identification card;
(2) The
name and residence address of the driver;
(3) The
name of the company employing the driver;
(4) A
small photograph of the driver.
(Code 1957, § 6624.1(e); Ord. No. 73-35, § 2, 8-1-73)
Each taxicab shall be equipped with a device which shall plainly
indicate to a person outside the taxicab whether the taximeter is
in operation or is not in operation.
(Code 1957, § 6624.1(c))
Each taxicab shall bear on the outside an identification marker
of the type and design and in the place prescribed by the city manager.
(Code 1957, § 6624.1(c))
All taxicabs must be of a color scheme approved by the city
manager.
(Code 1957, § 6624.1(d))
The driver of a taxicab regulated by this chapter shall promptly
obey all lawful orders or instructions of any police officer or fireman.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(g))
The council shall have the authority to set aside certain areas
of the public streets of the city reserved exclusively for the parking
of taxicabs at such time as they are not actually in service in transporting
passengers. The number, area and location of such parking spaces shall
be solely at the discretion of the council.
(Code 1957, § 6625)
Any taxicab parked in any location other than that provided
by the council shall be subject to all laws and ordinances of the
city in respect to the parking of motor vehicles upon the public streets
of the city.
(Code 1957, § 6626)
It is unlawful for the driver or operator of any taxicab to
refuse a prospective fare or to take any action to actively discourage
a prospective fare, unless it shall be readily apparent that the prospective
fare is a hazard to the driver or operator.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(h))
No driver of a taxicab shall transport any larger number of
persons, including the driver, than the manufacturer's rated seating
capacity for the vehicle.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(f))
Any taxicab driver employed to transport passengers to a definite
point must take the most direct route possible that will carry the
passenger to his destination safely and expeditiously.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(a))
No driver of a taxicab shall seek employment by repeatedly and
persistently driving his vehicle to and fro in a short space in front
of, or by otherwise interfering with the proper and orderly access
to or egress from, any theater, hall, hotel, public resort, railway
station or other place of public gathering, or, by leaving his vehicle,
or otherwise approach or solicit patronage by pedestrians upon the
sidewalk in any theater, hall, hotel, public resort, railway station
or other place of public gathering; but such driver may solicit employment
by driving through any public street or place without stops, other
than those due to obstruction of traffic, and at such speed as not
to interfere with or impede traffic, and may pass and repass before
any theater, hall, hotel, public resort, railway station or other
place of public gathering; providing, that after passing such public
place, he shall not turn and repass until he has gone a distance of
two blocks upon the streets of the city. No person shall solicit passengers
for such vehicles other than the driver thereof when sitting upon
the driver's seat of the vehicle; provided, however, the chief of
police may authorize a dispatcher to solicit passengers and assist
in loading passengers at such times and places as, in his discretion,
public service and traffic conditions require.
(Code 1957, § 6624.3(e))
The interior of a taxicab shall be thoroughly cleaned at least
once in every 24 hours.
(Code 1957, § 6624.2(d))
The operator of the taxicab is required to prominently post
rates on each side of the taxicab in block letters of not less than
one inch in height and in a location where rates can be easily read
by prospective passengers.
(Ord. No. 96-36, § 12, 11-20-96)