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))
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))
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 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))
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 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)