Belmont Municipal Code Art. II Rates and Fares

A "taximeter" is hereby defined to be a mechanical device attached to a vehicle for hire, by means of which device the authorized charge for hire of such vehicle is mechanically calculated on the basis of distance traveled, or for waiting time, or a combination of both, which charges shall be indicated upon such mechanical device by means of figures in dollars and cents.

(Code 1961, § 26.7)

It shall be unlawful for any owner or driver to operate any taxicab in the city unless and until such vehicle is equipped with a taximeter of such type, style and design as may be approved by the chief of police, and it shall be the duty of every owner operating a taxicab to maintain such taximeter in good serviceable condition so that it will at all times correctly and accurately indicate the correct charge for the distance traveled and waiting time; and such taximeter shall be at all times subject to inspection of the chief of police; and he is hereby authorized at his instance or upon complaint of any person to investigate or cause the taximeter to be investigated, and upon discovery of any inaccuracy in the taximeter, to remove or cause the same to be removed, and not be used until it shall have been correctly adjusted. No taxicab shall be operated in the city unless equipped with an accurate taximeter.

(Code 1961, § 26.8)

Every taximeter shall be equipped so as to register the cost of transportation of passengers in the city, and the taximeter shall be so placed in the taxicab that the reading dial showing the amount to be charged may be readily seen by the passengers in the taxicab. It shall be unlawful for any owner, driver or operator of a taxicab in the city to charge or collect any sum in excess of the following rates, computation of which shall be in accordance with the figures shown on such taximeter:

For the first one-ninth of a mile or fraction thereof, ninety cents ($0.90); for each additional one-ninth of a mile, ten cents ($0.10); maximum fare for a straight run within the city, one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25); for waiting time, eight dollars ($8.00) per hour and proportionately for any portion of an hour.

When carrying passengers whose points of destination are different, the meter shall be turned back to the "for hire" position each time a passenger is discharged and a fare collected.

For each piece of luggage in excess of two (2) average sized traveling bags or their equivalent in size, fifteen cents ($0.15) each;

Script may be issued at a discount of ten (10) per cent upon the sale of each six dollars ($6.00) of script tickets as a unit.

(Ord. No. 541, § 1, 6-24-74; Ord. No. 580, § 1, 8-23-76)

It shall be unlawful for any person except where credit is extended to refuse to pay the lawful fare as fixed by this chapter for the use of any taxicab after hiring the same.

(Code 1961, § 26.4)

If requested, every driver shall give a receipt upon payment of the correct fare. In case of a dispute, the matter shall be determined by the officer in charge at the police station. Failure to comply with such determination shall subject the offending party to a charge of misdemeanor.

(Code 1961, § 26.3)