The transportation services and the fixed mandatory rates to be charged for transportation by a taxi in this city shall be as established in the city fee schedule in chapter 18, as amended, the same having been determined to be fair and reasonable:
(1) 
Transportation of persons or passengers.
a. 
A maximum fee of $4.00 for the first one-fifth-mile, or fraction thereof, for the first passenger.
b. 
A maximum fee of $0.55 for each additional one-fifth-mile after the first half mile for the first passenger.
c. 
An additional maximum fee of $2.00 for each additional passenger, regardless of distance.
d. 
More than one passenger to separate destinations.
Passengers riding together in one taxicab at the same time, but destined for different destinations, shall be assessed rates as follows: Upon said passengers entering said taxicab, the driver shall start the meter and charge the passenger driving to the nearest destination said metered amount, based upon the charges for mileage as set forth in this division. Upon said first passenger disembarking, said driver shall immediately restart the meter and proceed to deliver the passenger designating the next closest destination, and upon arriving at said destination, said disembarking passenger shall pay the amount set forth on the meter for mileage as established by this division. Upon said passenger disembarking, said driver shall restart the meter and deliver the next passenger to the next closest destination. Charges will be as set forth in this Code under this division and shall apply to additional passengers in the same manner as set forth in this subsection.
e. 
No charge shall be made for the transportation of children less than six years of age when accompanied by an adult.
f. 
Waiting time (at the instance and request of passenger): A maximum fee of $0.65 per minute for fractional parts of an hour, a maximum fee of $39.00 for each full hour.
g. 
A person hailing a taxicab within the limits of the city shall be deemed to have employed said taxicab from the time of entering the taxicab until the time of leaving said taxicab. Said driver shall proceed directly to said point of disembarking and not deviate therefrom unless the passenger initially hiring said taxicab agrees to such deviation. In the event the first person hailing said taxicab agrees to allow said taxicab to pick up additional passengers for different destination, said person initially hailing said taxicab shall be deemed to have agreed to a deviation from direct route to facilitate delivering the passenger with the closest destinations, to enable said taxicab driver to comply with subsection (1)d of this section.
h. 
A taxicab may charge a maximum surcharge up to $3.00 per trip, not per passenger, out of the city limits when it picks up a passenger or passengers within the city limits.
(2) 
Transportation of items and animals.
a. 
A taxicab may charge a maximum fee of $2.00 for each animal transported by taxicab in addition to regular meter fare.
b. 
A taxicab may charge a maximum of $7.00 per move of items in addition to regular meter fare.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017; Ordinance 2019-10, § I, adopted 4/3/2019)
The maximum rates set out in section 28-338 shall be the sole charge made or collected. It shall be unlawful for any driver of a taxicab to demand or receive a fee or charge for taxicab services in excess of the rates specified in the preceding section 28-338.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017; Ordinance 2019-10, § I, adopted 4/3/2019)
Every driver of a taxicab shall have his right to demand the payment of the regular fare before picking up a passenger and may refuse employment unless so paid. Otherwise, no driver of a taxicab shall refuse or neglect to convey any orderly person upon request to any place in the city unless previously engaged or unable to do so. It shall be unlawful for any driver to request payment in advance of a fare in excess of the fare prescribed by this division.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
(a) 
Every taxicab operator shall post in each taxicab operated by him, in a conspicuous place in view of the passengers to be conveyed, a schedule of fares to be charged for such service. Such schedule shall be printed on a card in not less than 24 point black faced type, letter spaced, and giving the rates and distances for which such rates apply.
(b) 
Posted rates as provided in this division shall be illuminated between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
Cruising, as defined in this article, is hereby prohibited. However, upon the completion of a call or upon returning to the nearest stand or principal fixed place of business, such taxicab may, if hailed by a prospective passenger, stop and pick up such passenger.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
Each taxicab driver shall:
(1) 
Demonstrate conduct that is reasonable, prudent, and courteous in manner.
(2) 
Maintain a sanitary and well-groomed appearance.
(3) 
Not respond to a dispatch call assigned to another driver.
(4) 
Not consume alcoholic beverages, drugs, or other substances, or operate a taxicab while under the influence of such substances which could adversely affect the driver's ability to drive a motor vehicle.
(5) 
Not monitor the radio frequency of a taxicab company other than his employing company, nor respond to a call for service dispatched by another company.
(6) 
Not possess a radio equipped to receive a frequency of a taxicab company other than his employing company.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
A person commits an offense hereunder if he:
(1) 
Operates a vehicle on the streets of the city that is not a licensed taxicab unless the vehicle is otherwise exempt from licensing under section 28-180.
(2) 
Marks, paints, or equips a vehicle in a way that is likely to result in a person mistaking the vehicle for a taxicab licensed within the city.
(3) 
Solicits or attempts to solicit passengers unless he is operating a taxicab authorized to operate on the streets of the city.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab driver to solicit, by work, signal, sign, or otherwise, patronage for such taxicab upon any public street of the city or in or near any public place within the city.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
Every holder of a certificate issued under the terms of this division shall maintain at least one fixed place of business or location within the corporate limits of the city on private property at a place to be approved by the chief of police of the city. The chief of police shall approve the proposed location unless in his opinion the installation of a taxi business at such location would create a traffic hazard, or unless the general welfare of the citizens of the city would be best served by not having a taxi business located at such place; provided, however, that no taxi business location or taxi stand shall be located in any place in the city if another ordinance of the city prohibits the location of such a stand or business at such place.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
In addition to its principal fixed place of business, the operator of a taxicab business may have taxi stands or call boxes at other locations in the city; provided that such other locations are first approved by the chief of police and that such a use of a proposed location is not in violation of any ordinance of the city.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
Except when carrying passengers, answering calls, going to or from officially designated taxicab stands or going to a garage or other place where automotive repairs are made, for the purpose of being repaired, all taxicabs shall be kept off the streets of the city and upon premises owned by or leased to and under the supervision and control of the holder of the certificate by virtue of which such taxicab is being operated within the city; provided, however, that a taxicab may occupy officially designated taxicab stands at locations approved by the chief of police. No taxicab shall be kept upon the streets or other public places of the city longer than is reasonably necessary for the performance of the public service which such taxicab is designed to render.
Each taxicab must stand and remain, except in the immediate act of discharging or taking on passengers, upon or within private depot and grounds, upon private premises owned or leased to the holder of the certificate by virtue of which such taxicab is being operated, and under the control of such holder. It shall be unlawful for any taxicab to stand waiting employment upon any public street or public property within the corporate limits of the city. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit the parking of taxicabs immediately adjacent to the curb in any part of any public street if such part of the street in which such taxicab is parked has been officially designated by the chief of police as a street in which taxicabs may park and await employment.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
(a) 
Required equipment.
Before being allowed to operate upon the streets of the city, each and every taxicab shall be inspected and approved by the chief of police or the chief's designated representatives. No taxicab shall be driven or operated upon the streets of the city unless the same is in a safe condition and free from mechanical defects with particular reference to, but not limited to, lights, brakes, tires, and steering apparatus. In addition, it shall be unlawful to operate a taxicab upon the streets of the city unless the following equipment is provided and continuously maintained in each taxicab:
(1) 
Seat belts for each passenger, the number of which is determined by the designed seating capacity of the taxicab.
(2) 
A functioning heater and air conditioner.
(3) 
A fire extinguisher of at least one-quart capacity.
(4) 
Equipment to indicate when a taxicab is operating for hire and when it is not for hire.
(5) 
A top light.
(6) 
The vehicle shall have a rated seating capacity of no more than eight passengers, excluding the driver.
(7) 
Each and every taxicab operated upon the streets in the city shall have painted, or vinyl signage upon its rear and both sides, in letters and numbers of a sufficient size to be legible, the following markings: first, the trade name of the organization under whose certificate such taxicab is being operated in letters at least three inches high, together with a phone number in lettering at least six inches high under the company name and, second, the number assigned to such taxicab by or under the direction of the city secretary. Such letters and numbers when painted shall be painted on each taxicab with permanent, non-washable paint. The paint color or the vinyl signage installed shall be sharply contrasting to the color of the taxicab so that the same will be readily apparent. Such letters and numbers shall not, at any time, be covered with any substance, material, or other object that would prevent the same being seen or in any way obscure their visibility. Each person operating taxicabs in the city shall cause same to be painted or shall have vinyl signage installed in such a manner as to properly distinguish them from private vehicles and such color combinations as are used shall be filed with the city secretary and no two taxicab operators shall be permitted to use the same or similar color combinations. Magnetic signs shall not be permitted.
(8) 
The vehicle shall have installed on the roof of the taxicab an interior dome light.
(9) 
Inside the taxicab, there must be an operating taxi meter meeting the requirements set forth elsewhere in this division.
(10) 
All other equipment specified elsewhere in this subdivision.
(11) 
The vehicle must be equipped with a complaint notice sign.
(12) 
A schedule of rates.
(13) 
The exterior of the taxicab shall be maintained in a clean, undamaged condition and present a favorable appearance. The exterior of the cab shall include body paint, all glass, hubcaps, head and taillights, grill, bumper and body trim.
(14) 
The interior of approved taxicabs, including the trunk, shall be maintained in a condition so as to be free of grease, dirt, and trash. Passengers shall be able to use the seats and trunk of the vehicles without fear of soiling or damaging either their wearing attire or their luggage. Interior seat fabric must not be ripped.
(15) 
Marquees or billboards affixed to taxicab must not obstruct any required standard under this section.
(b) 
Reinspection fee.
A fee of $12.50 as established in the city fee schedule in chapter 18 will be assessed for each taxicab that does not pass the annual inspection or is found to be in noncompliance during a random inspection.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)
It shall be unlawful for any operator or driver of a taxicab to drive, transport, or cause to be transported, or permit or allow another to drive, transport, or cause to be transported, any person over any street in the city for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution, or for any other unlawful or immoral purpose.
(Ordinance 2017-15, § I(Exh. A), adopted 4/19/2017)