The purpose of this chapter is to provide rules and regulations governing the operation and permitting of taxicab companies and taxicab drivers, for the public necessity and convenience. The further purpose of this chapter is to provide for a policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service, and to impose a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program, as required by section 53075.5(b) of the California Government Code.
(Ord. 91-20, eff. 9/5/91; Ord. 2003-20, eff. 9/16/03; Ord. 2003-21, eff. 11/7/03; Ord. 2004/02, eff. 3/18/04)
Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms below have the indicated meanings when used in this chapter:
"Certificate"
means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued as provided in this chapter.
"Driver"
includes every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a taxicab.
"Hire"
means engage for service in exchange for consideration. Consideration includes, but is not limited to, payment in money, payment in tips, and acceptance of a free ride for development or maintenance of business good will.
"Holder"
means an operator who has received a certificate as provided under this chapter.
"Operator"
means a person engaged in the business of providing transportation services through advertising, use or dispatch of taxicabs; or who causes a taxicab to be operated for the purpose of either soliciting or picking up passengers for hire in the city.
"Taxi stand"
means a place permitted by the Public Works Department for the use, while awaiting employment, of taxis and such other vehicles as the City Council may specify by resolution.
"Taxicab"
means a passenger vehicle designed to carry not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, and is used to carry passengers for hire. "Taxicab" shall not include a charter-party carrier of passengers within the meaning of the Passenger Charter-party Carriers' Act, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 5351) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code.
"Taximeter"
means an instrument or device attached to a taxi which mechanically calculates a fare on the basis of distance traveled or waiting time, or a combination thereof, and displays the fare in figures of dollars and cents.
(Ord. 91-20, eff. 9/5/91; Ord. 2003-20, eff. 9/16/03; Ord. 2003-21, eff. 11/7/03; Ord. 2004/02, eff. 3/18/04)
It shall be unlawful for any person to be an operator or driver of a taxicab within the city limits, where passenger pick-up is in the City, without first obtaining a certificate or driver permit. A taxicab operated or driven within the city in violation of this chapter shall be subject to impoundment pursuant to Government Code section 53075.61. For purposes of this chapter, any City of Santa Maria Police Officer shall be considered a "transportation inspector" authorized to cite a taxicab operator or driver for operating or driving a taxicab without a permit and authorized to impound a taxicab operated or driven without a permit.
(Ord. 91-20, eff. 9/5/91; Ord. 2003-20, eff. 9/16/03; Ord. 2003-21, eff. 11/7/03; Ord. 2004/02, eff. 3/18/04)
It shall also be unlawful for any operator, holder or driver to operate or permit operation of a taxicab in the City unless s/he/it complies with all of the following:
(a) 
The taxicab is marked in accordance with this chapter, with the approved certificate, and with Vehicle Code §27908 or successor section;
(b) 
The taxicab displays, in at least 10-point type and clearly visible to passengers, the schedule of rates submitted to the City in accordance with this chapter;
(c) 
The taxicab displays, in the lower portion of the front window on the passenger side, a current vehicle inspection "pass" sticker issued by the Santa Maria Police Department;
(d) 
The taxicab is neat, clean, and meets all safety requirements to operate legally on streets;
(e) 
The taxicab has safety belts for the driver and each passenger in working order. For the purpose of this subsection, the City Council notes that Santa Maria is bisected by two state highways; consequently, the seatbelt exemption for "city streets" in Vehicle Code §27315(d)(1) does not apply;
(f) 
The taxicab contains an operating taximeter whose accuracy has within the last year been tested, approved and sealed by the County Department of Weights and Measures, as evidenced by a current sticker;
(g) 
The taxicab is covered by a policy of insurance as required by this chapter, and documentation as required by this chapter is on file with the City;
(h) 
Where hired to transport passengers to a definite point, the taxicab shall travel the most direct route possible that will carry the passenger to the destination safely and expeditiously;
(i) 
Conveyance shall not be denied to any orderly person unless the taxicab is previously engaged or unable or forbidden by law to convey;
(j) 
A correct receipt for the amount of payment received shall be provided to passengers upon request;
(k) 
The driver's permit of the driver is conspicuously displayed at all times during operation;
(l) 
The taxicab service is operated twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.
(Ord. 91-20, eff. 9/5/91; Ord. 2003-20, eff. 9/16/03; Ord. 2003-21, eff. 11/7/03; Ord. 2004/02, eff. 3/18/04)
The City Council shall have the authority to adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the service and safety of the operation of taxicabs.
(Ord. 91-20, eff. 9/5/91; Ord. 2003-20, eff. 9/16/03; Ord. 2003-21, eff. 11/7/03; Ord. 2004/02, eff. 3/18/04)