CHAPTER 116
TAXICABS
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116.01 Definition 116.02 Obedience to traffic rules 116.03 Perpetration of unlawful use 116.04 Operation of vehicles 116.05 Drivers 116.06 Passengers 116.07 Rates of fare; meters 116.08 Cab stands |
116.09 Limousine license required 116.10 Solicitation of passengers 116.11 Immoral purposes
116.20 License required 116.21 Character of applicant 116.22 Annual fee; issuance of tag or sticker 116.23 Insurance required |
§ 116.01 DEFINITION.
For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
TAXICAB. Any vehicle used to carry passengers for hire, but not operating on a fixed route, and not otherwise defined as a limousine service.
LIMOUSINE SERVICE. A service providing or offering to provide transportation in a chauffeur-driven motor vehicle designed to be used to carry eight (8) or fewer passengers, but not including the carrying of passengers over fixed routes, and where such transportation is arranged in advance on a call basis only and the fares or fees for such transportation are established, in advance, by agreement of the parties.
(Am. Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94)
§ 116.02 OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC RULES.
It shall be the duty of every driver of a taxicab and/or a limousine to obey all traffic rules established by statute or ordinance.
(Am. Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94)
§ 116.03 PERPETRATION OF UNLAWFUL USE.
It shall be unlawful to knowingly permit any taxicab or limousine to be used in the perpetration of a crime or misdemeanor.
(Am. Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.04 OPERATION OF VEHICLES.
No taxicab shall be operated unless it bears a state license duly issued; and no such cab shall be operated unless it is equipped with proper brakes, lights, tires, horn, muffler, rear vision mirror, and windshield wiper in good condition. It shall be the duty of the licensee to have the taxicab inspected by the City Mechanic, or an individual designated by the City Administrator, every six (6) months that the vehicle is in operation.
Each taxicab, while operated, shall have on each side, in letters readable from a distance of twenty (20) feet, the name of the licensee operating it. If more than one (1) cab is operated by a licensee, each cab shall be designated by a different number, and such number also shall so appear on each side of such cab.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.05 DRIVERS.
No person shall drive a taxicab, or be hired or permitted to do so, unless his driver's license has affixed a classification prescribed by rule or regulation promulgated by the Secretary of State as to the operation of taxicabs.
It shall be unlawful for any driver of a taxicab while on duty to drink any intoxicating liquor, or to use profane or obscene language, to shout or call to prospective passengers, or to disturb the peace in any way.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.06 PASSENGERS.
It shall be the duty of the driver of any taxicab to accept as a passenger any person who seeks to so use the taxicab, as long as the passenger conducts himself or herself in an orderly manner. No person shall be admitted to a taxicab occupied by a passenger without the consent of the passenger.
The driver shall take his passenger to his destination by the most direct available route from the place where the passenger enters the cab.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.07 RATES OF FARE; METERS.
No taxicab shall be operated unless it is equipped with a meter in good condition to record the amount to be charged on each trip, which amount shall be shown in figures visible to the passenger. Upon paying his fare each passenger shall be given a receipt showing the amount so paid and the name of the company or person operating the cab, together with the number of the cab, if such company or person operates more than one taxicab in the city.
It shall be unlawful for a passenger to fail or refuse to pay the lawful fare at the termination of a trip.
No extra charge shall be made for baggage or parcels the size of which permits them to be carried in the cab.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.08 CAB STANDS.
Each cab stand shall be appropriately marked by sign as directed by the City Council. It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle, other than a licensed taxicab, in any cab stand.
A licensed taxicab may be parked in any cab stand while such taxicab is in charge of its driver on duty awaiting a fare.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.09 LIMOUSINE LICENSE REQUIRED.
No person shall operate a limousine service in the city without a current license from the city.
(Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94)
§ 116.10 SOLICITATION OF PASSENGERS.
No person shall solicit passengers for a limousine service at a taxicab stand.
(Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94)
§ 116.11 IMMORAL PURPOSES.
It is unlawful for a limousine service driver to permit any person to occupy or use a limousine for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or indecent conduct, and it is unlawful for a driver to direct or offer or agree to direct any person to any place or person for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or indecent conduct.
(Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94)
§ 116.20 LICENSE REQUIRED.
It shall be unlawful to engage in the business of operating a taxicab or a limousine service in the city without first having secured a license therefor. Applications for such licenses shall be made in writing to the City Clerk, and shall state thereon the name of the applicant, the intended place of business, the number of vehicles to be operated, and the type of license requested. If the applicant is a corporation, the names and addresses of the president and secretary thereof shall be given.
(Am. Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 116.21 CHARACTER OF APPLICANT.
No such license shall be issued to or held by any person who is not a person of good character or who has been convicted of a felony; nor shall such license be issued to or held by any corporation if any officer thereof would be ineligible for a license under the foregoing conditions.
§ 116.22 ANNUAL FEE; ISSUANCE OF TAG OR STICKER.
The annual fee, payable in advance, for such licenses shall be forty dollars ($40.00) for each taxicab or limousine operated. Whenever the number of taxicabs or limousines so operated shall be increased during the license year, the licensee shall notify the City Clerk of such change and shall pay the additional fee.
Such fee shall be in lieu of any other vehicle fee required by ordinance and the City Clerk shall issue suitable tags or stickers for the number of cabs or limousines covered by each license. Such tag or sticker shall be displayed in a prominent place of each taxicab and limousine while it is in use, and may be transferred to any taxicab or limousine put into service to replace one (1) withdrawn from service.
The licensee shall notify the City Clerk of the motor number and state license number of each taxicab or limousine operated and of the corresponding city tag or sticker number.
(Am. Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94)
§ 116.23 INSURANCE REQUIRED.
No taxicab or limousine shall be operated unless it is covered by a bond or public liability insurance policy as required by statute.
(Am. Ord. 1823, passed 2-22-94) Penalty, see § 10.99