Guadalupe Municipal Code Ch. 5.48 Taxicabs

Note: Prior ordinance history: Ord. 8, 1946.

Unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, the definitions and provisions contained in this section shall govern the construction, meaning, and application of words and phrases used in this chapter, except to the extent that a particular word or phrase is otherwise specifically defined in this section. The definition of each word or phrase shall constitute, to the extent applicable, the definition of each word or phrase which is derivative from it, or from which it is a derivative, as the case may be.

"City Administrator"

shall mean the City Administrator of the City, or his or her designee.

"Drop charge"

shall mean the initial charge made on the taximeter when the ride begins.

"Taxicab"

shall mean any motor vehicle designed for carrying not more than 10 passengers, including the driver operated in the streets of the City other than over a defined or fixed route, for the transportation of persons for hire at the direction of the passengers.

"Taxicab driver's permit"

shall mean a permit issued pursuant to this chapter, to a person for the privilege of operating a taxicab.

"Taxicab permit"

shall mean a permit issued pursuant to this chapter for the operation of a taxicab on City streets.

"Taxicab permittee"

shall mean the person or company in whose name taxicab permits and taxicab driver permits are issued.

"Taximeter"

shall mean any instrument or device attached to a taxicab, and designed or intended to measure mechanically or electronically the distance traveled by such taxicab, or to record the time said taxicab is in waiting, and to indicate, by figures or designs, the fare to be charged in dollars and cents.

"Taxi stand"

shall mean a taxicab stand, taxi zone, or taxicab zone as defined or designated by the City.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

No person shall operate or cause to be operated any taxicab, regardless of whether such operation extends beyond the boundary limits of the City, without a valid taxicab permit first having been obtained authorizing such operation, and a valid driver's permit having been obtained for the driver, provided that no taxicab or driver's permit shall be required for a taxicab which is lawfully transporting a passenger from a point outside this City to a destination within this City, or which is en route from a point outside this City to a destination outside this City; provided that no driver of a taxicab without such taxicab permit and driver's permit shall solicit or accept a passenger or passengers from within this City for transportation to any destination whatsoever. Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

This chapter shall not apply to the transportation of the physically handicapped and chronically ill in specially equipped vehicles, which vehicles cannot ordinarily be used for the transportation of taxicab patrons. Persons operating a service claiming such an exemption shall transport only individuals who are physically handicapped or chronically ill and their attendants.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

Any person desiring to secure a taxicab permit shall submit an application therefor to the City Administrator. The application shall be in a form approved by the City Administrator and shall include the following:

A. The applicant's name, home address, business address, and telephone numbers, including information as to persons doing business under fictitious names, as members of partnerships, or as officers of corporations or associations;

B. The number of permits desired and a list of vehicles to be used as taxicabs, including a full description of each vehicle; provided, that the full description of new vehicles may be submitted within 30 days of the date of issuance of a permit hereunder;

C. A full description of the location and operation of the applicant's place of business, including radio operation, if any;

D. The date upon which the applicant desires the permit to be issued;

E. Such other and further information as the City Administrator may require. The application shall be under penalty of perjury, and shall not be accepted unless it is clearly filled out in full with all required information and is accompanied by the application fees designated by the City for each permit requested.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. The City Administrator, with the assistance of the Police Chief, shall cause an investigation to be made of the facts stated in the taxicab permit application, and shall, within 60 days, determine the following:

1. Whether the applicant has had a taxicab permit revoked for any cause within the last 24 months;

2. Whether the application fee has been paid;

3. Whether any fact exists that would be cause for revocation of a taxicab permit because of a violation of any of the terms of this chapter or rules promulgated pursuant thereto;

4. Whether any statement made in the application is false;

5. Whether the applicant, including all persons doing business under fictitious names as members of partnerships, or as officers of corporations or associations, has been convicted within the last 5 years of a crime or other offense involving moral turpitude, or a conviction of use, possession or sale of a controlled substance within the past 3 years.

B. If the City Administrator makes a finding unfavorable to the applicant, with respect to any of the above factors, the City Administrator shall deny issuance of the permit and shall give the applicant prompt written notice of such finding and decision. The notice shall include a statement of the specific reasons for denial, including any complaints received against any applicant presently holding a permit.

C. Should the City Administrator's report conclude that the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter, including Section 5.48.060, the City Administrator shall issue such permit or permits. Each permit shall be numbered and shall state the name and address of the permittee and the date of issuance. One permit shall be issued for each taxicab. The fees deposited by unsuccessful applicants shall be refunded, less the amount designated by the City Council to be retained to defray the cost of investigation.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, no taxicab permit will be issued unless the applicant has made a showing of public convenience and necessity. Following a public hearing thereon, the City Administrator shall issue regulations establishing the criteria by which public convenience and necessity will be evaluated.

B. Upon any change in ownership of a taxicab company, the new owner shall submit an application for a taxicab permit. No taxicab permit shall be issued to the new owner unless the applicant has made a showing of public convenience and necessity.

C. If the City Administrator makes a finding unfavorable to the applicant under this section, the City Administrator shall deny issuance of the permit and shall give the applicant prompt written notice of such finding and decision.

D. An applicant denied issuance of a taxicab permit under this section may appeal the denial to the City Council within 10 days after service by mail of the City Administrator's denial. The decision of the Council shall be final.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

Any person desiring to secure a taxicab driver's permit shall submit an application therefor to the City Administrator. The application shall be in a form approved by the City Administrator and shall include the following:

A. The applicant's name, home address, business address, and telephone numbers;

B. The applicant's age and place of birth;

C. The date upon which the applicant wishes the permit to be issued;

D. Identification, including the number, of any previous driver's permit issued to the applicant;

E. A current identification picture of the applicant;

F. A report of a physical examination within the last 12 months, by a doctor of medicine, showing the applicant to be in a proper physical condition to operate a taxicab safely;

G. A statement of the applicant's criminal convictions within the last 5 years, excluding parking violations;

H. Type, number, and description of California driver's licenses held by the applicant;

I. A letter from a current cab company certifying that the driver is employed or will be employed by that company;

J. Such other information as the City Administrator may require.

The application shall be under penalty of perjury, and shall not be accepted unless it is clearly filled out in full with all required information and is accompanied by the nonrefundable permit fee designated by the City.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. The City Administrator, with the assistance of the Police Chief, shall cause an investigation to be made of the facts stated in the application and shall, within 30 days, determine the following:

1. Whether the applicant has had a taxicab driver's permit revoked for any cause within the last 24 months, has ever had a taxicab driver's permit revoked for a cause involving reckless driving or drunkenness, or has had an application for a taxicab driver's permit denied within the last 6 months;

2. Whether any statement made in the application is false;

3. Whether the taxicab driver's permit fee has not been paid;

4. Whether the applicant has been convicted within the last 5 years of a crime involving moral turpitude or a conviction of use, possession or sale of a controlled substance within the past 3 years;

5. Whether any fact exists that would be cause for suspension or revocation of a taxicab driver's permit because of a violation of any of the terms of this chapter or rules promulgated pursuant thereto;

6. Whether the applicant possesses a California driver's license valid to allow operation of a public taxicab;

7. Whether the applicant has submitted a recent picture, has been fingerprinted, and has presented proof of a physical examination within the last 12 months showing the applicant to be in a proper physical condition to operate a taxicab.

B. The City Administrator may deny issuance of a permit in the event he or she makes a finding adverse to the applicant with respect to any of the above factors. If a permit is denied, the City Administrator shall give the applicant prompt written notice of such decision. The notice shall include a statement of the specific reasons for denial including any complaints received against any applicant currently holding a permit.

C. If the City Administrator concludes that the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter, the City Administrator shall issue the taxicab driver's permit.

D. An applicant denied issuance of a taxicab driver's permit under this section may appeal the denial to the City Council within 10 days from the date of the City Administrator's denial.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. No vested right or property interest of any type is acquired by a taxicab permit or taxicab driver's permit issued to any person under this chapter.

B. All taxicab permits and taxicab driver's permits are revocable and subject to suspension in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and are to be exercised only in conformance with the regulations provided in this chapter.

C. A permittee shall not permit any right or privilege granted by his or her permit to be exercised by another, nor shall his or her permit or any interest therein or any right or privilege thereunder be sold, transferred, leased, assigned or otherwise disposed of except as provided in this chapter. A transfer in violation of this subsection shall be grounds for revocation or suspension of the permit. Upon the death of any taxicab permittee, the permit may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the deceased permittee's estate during the period of estate administration. The period shall not exceed one year from the permittee's death.

1. A deceased permittee's surviving heir(s) who inherits the permittee's entire taxicab company may reapply for taxicab permits in an amount equal to the permits possessed by the deceased permittee.

2. A permittee may sell his or her taxicab company, or one or more taxicabs, to another current permittee without invoking any minimum permit regulations in force at that time. The permittee purchasing the taxicabs may then apply for taxicab permits for all the taxicabs for which the selling company possessed permits.

D. Taxicab driver's permits are annual permits which expire on the following 30th day of June, provided, that whenever a taxicab driver's permit has been applied for and issued within a period of 60 days before June 30th, it shall be valid when issued and may be issued for the next ensuing year. Application for renewal must be received by the City Administrator before expiration of the permit and will require a records update from the Police Department and may, if permittee has been arrested within the past 12 months, require the permittee to be fingerprinted. The City Administrator shall determine whether the permittee possesses a valid California driver's license.

E. The renewal fee for each taxicab permit shall be the annual amount by resolution of the City Council and shall be paid at such times designated by the City Council. If any permit is not exercised, the fee shall not be refunded. Prior to the payment of the annual permit renewal fee for a taxicab permit the permittee must submit a valid State of California vehicle registration card.

F. The renewal fee for a taxicab driver's permit shall be the annual amount designated by resolution of the City Council. If any permit is not exercised, the fee shall not be refunded.

G. A permittee who has a taxicab permit but does not exercise this permit due to the taxicab vehicle being out-of-service, wrecked, unavailable for service, or without liability insurance, for a period of 180 days shall automatically forfeit that permit, except for those vehicles mentioned in subsection H of this section.

H. Each taxicab permit holder may have one additional vehicle, which must be permitted, insured, and otherwise ready for use, for every 3 permits he or she holds.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

By permitting or overlooking any obligation of a taxicab permittee or driver, the City does not waive or bar its right to require prompt performance, when due, of all other such obligations.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A taxicab permittee shall, and by acceptance of his or her permit does, agree to indemnify, defend and hold the City free and harmless from any and all claims, costs, liability, damages or expenses, including costs of suit and fees, including attorneys' fees, on account of any damages arising out of the taxicab permittee's operation of a taxicab business under the permit, except for that liability caused by the sole negligence of the City.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. No taxicab shall be driven or operated in the City unless the owner or operator thereof obtains and maintains a motor vehicle liability insurance policy or policies, as prescribed in subsection B of this section, from a responsible and solvent insurance corporation insuring said owner and operator and covering such taxicab. For purposes of this section, and absent evidence to the contrary, the fact that an insurance corporation is admitted to issue policies under the laws of the State of California for the appropriate class of insurance shall constitute prima facie evidence that such insurance corporation is responsible and solvent. If such prima facie evidence cannot be presented, the owner or operator shall provide to the City Administrator, at the time of application, that the owner has complied with California Vehicle Code Section 16500; and, for those owners meeting the requirements of subsection B by obtaining an insurance policy through an insurance corporation not admitted to issue policies under the laws of the State of California, that the insurance corporation is rated A-VII or better by the current Best's Key Rating Guide (Property Casualty), or that the insurance corporation meets all of the following requirements:

1. The insurance corporation has been in business for a minimum of 5 consecutive years in a sovereign nation which has treaties in place with the United States wherein suits, judgments and debts obtained in the United States are enforceable.

2. The insurance corporation has a policy holder surplus reserve of not less than $50,000,000.00 as documented by independent financial audited statements provided by an audit firm acceptable to the City Administrator.

3. The insurance corporation has demonstrated for the preceding 5 consecutive years prompt claims handling to the satisfaction of the City Administrator.

4. The policy issued for the appropriate class of insurance by the insurance corporation is not barred by any law of the State of California from applicability within the State.

B. Such policy shall insure any person driving, using or responsible for the use of any taxicab covered by said policy with the consent, express or implied, of the owner, against loss from liability imposed on any of them by law for injury to or death of any person, or damage to property, arising from or growing out of the maintenance, operation, or ownership of any taxicab covered by the policy to not less than the following amounts or limits, exclusive of interest and costs: $1,000,000.00 for injury to or death of any one person in any one accident; $3,000,000.00 for injury to or death of more than one person in any one accident; and $1,000,000.00 for property damage in any one accident.

C. The applicant or permittee shall file with the City Administrator said policy or certificates thereof. The policy shall provide that it shall not be canceled except after 30 days' written notice to the City. The City Administrator may require that the policy insure all the permitted vehicles for at least a full permit renewal period, and upon renewal, the City Administrator may require that the policy insure all permitted vehicles through the balance of the permit renewal period and the subsequent renewal period.

D. Upon the City Administrator's receipt of a notice of cancellation, the City Administrator, by written notice, shall inform the permittee that the permit or permits will be automatically suspended on the expiration date of the policy, without further notice, unless evidence of required insurance is filed with the City Administrator on or before that date.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

The regulation of taxicab permits shall be within the power and duties of the City Administrator. The City Administrator shall immediately inform the Police Chief of the suspension or revocation of taxicab permits or taxicab driver's permits for any reason.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. The City Administrator is hereby empowered to make rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter as may be necessary or desirable to aid in the enforcement of the provisions and purposes of this chapter. The rules and regulations may include, but are not limited to, a system of identification and numbering of taxicabs and drivers.

B. Any violation of such rules and regulations shall be grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of a taxicab permit or taxicab driver's permit.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

Each taxicab and other equipment used by a taxicab permittee shall be maintained and used strictly in conformance with the following:

A. Taximeter. Every taxicab shall be equipped with an accurate taximeter. It shall be unlawful to tamper with any taximeter or other measuring instrument used for the purpose of gauging or indicating distance traveled, or waiting time, or for the purpose of fixing rates to be collected from the public, or the lead tags or seal thereof.

1. Every taximeter or other measuring instrument used for the purpose of gauging or indicating distance traveled, or waiting time, or for the purpose of computing fares to be collected from the public shall be of a type inspected and approved, and subject to inspection, at all times, by the County Bureau of Weights and Measures.

2. The taximeter shall be so placed in said taxicab that the reading dial showing the amount to be charged shall be well lighted and readily discernible by the passenger riding in such taxicab, unless such taximeter is equipped and operated as a receipt-printing taximeter.

3. The driver of a taxicab shall not throw the flag of the taximeter in a recording position when such taxicab is not actually employed. The driver of a taxicab shall throw the flag of such taximeter to the nonrecording position at the termination of each service.

4. The driver of a taxicab while carrying passengers or under employment, except on an hourly basis or contract basis, shall not display the flag affixed to such taximeter in such position as to denote that he or she is employed at a rate of fare different from that to which he or she is entitled.

5. A taxicab having a broken lead tag and/or lead wire, an out-of-date seal or a notification from the County Bureau of Weights and Measures that the meter of that taxicab is "red flagged" shall have its permit suspended for so long as the condition existing beginning one work day after the taxicab permittee is notified by the City or County Bureau of Weights and Measures that the condition exists. A taxicab permit shall be suspended for 10 days if the above condition occurs 3 times in any 6-month period for that taxicab. Such suspension may be appealed to the City Council within 10 days of any such notification.

B. Color. Each taxicab of any permittee shall be of a distinctive color scheme, and no vehicle covered by the terms of this chapter shall be operated whose color scheme, identifying design, monogram, or insignia to be used herein shall, in the opinion of the City Administrator, conflict with or imitate any color scheme, design, monogram or insignia used on or in a vehicle or vehicles operating under another taxicab permit of the City, or pursuant to any other law or statute, in such manner as to be misleading or intended to deceive or defraud the public. Taxicabs may bear an advertising sign, space, or placard on the rear thereof, which shall not be of a size so as to interfere with the vision of the driver or a view of the license plate, name, or permittee, or number of taxicab.

C. Display of Names, Rates and Out of Service.

1. Rate Structure. The rate structure must include the distance for which the initial flag drop pays, the rate per mile thereafter and the charge per minute of waiting time, if any. Unit rates smaller or larger than one minute may also be included.

2. Exterior Signs. There shall be on the outside of each taxicab, signs, cards or plates, of a durable or permanent nature, showing the permittee's taxicab business name, taxicab permit number, current telephone number and rate structure. The taxicab business name and telephone number shall be displayed prominently on both sides of the taxicab. The taxicab's rate structure shall be displayed on both sides of the taxicab in the manner prescribed by the City Administrator.

3. Interior Signs. There shall be displayed in the passenger compartment of each taxicab, in full view of the passenger, a sign or card of heavy material not less than 4 inches by 8 inches in size, securely attached, providing the following information in letters and numbers as large as the size of the sign will allow: the name of the taxicab permittee and any fictitious name under which said taxicab operates, the current business address and telephone number of the permittee, a correct schedule of the rates to be charged for conveyance in the taxicab, and the name, address and telephone number of the agency issuing the taxicab permit, i.e., the City Administrator of the City of Guadalupe.

4. Any taxicab which is not available for fares, such as an off-duty taxicab, a taxicab being driven by a nonpermitted driver, or having had the permit suspended, must display in both side rear windows signs which state, "Out of Service." The letters of the sign shall not be less than one inch high nor less than onequarter inch wide.

D. Prior to the issuance of any new taxicab permit and at the discretion of the City Administrator and at least once a year, the owner shall present to the City Administrator an inspection report by a qualified mechanic certifying that an inspection involving the mileage, engine, gears, transmission, brake system, lighting system, exhaust and air pollution control system, ties and wheels has taken place and the automobile complies with all federal and State safety requirements along with any other items specified by the City Administrator.

E. Throughout the duration of a permit all taxicabs shall be maintained in a clean and mechanically safe condition. Taxicabs shall be required at all times to:

1. Keep seats, upholstery and rugs in good repair and not torn or ripped. Seat springs must not be broken or protrude through the upholstery. Seats shall be firm and comfortable and the tension of the seat springs shall be evenly distributed.

2. Have seatbelts in all seating positions where passengers may ride. These seatbelts must be in working order and available and observable for use by passengers at all times.

3. Have tires that comply with the requirements set forth in the California Vehicle Code.

4. Have a functional spare tire and a working jack and wrench to replace a flat tire.

5. Only place objects required by law or approved by the City Administrator on taxicab vehicle windows in conformance with California Vehicle Code Section 26708. Nothing shall be placed on any portion of the taxicab vehicle which blocks the driver's vision. All windows and the windshield shall be kept clean and clear.

6. Have all interior and exterior lights functioning properly and all lenses of same are to be reasonably intact.

7. Have a rear-view mirror and a side-view mirror on the driver's side.

8. Have a speedometer and odometer in good working order.

9. Have a horn in good working order.

10. Have a heater in good working order.

11. Be structurally sound and operate with a minimum of vibration and noise.

12. Keep the exterior of the taxicab vehicle, including the paint, in good condition.

13. Have door hinges, locks and latches in good mechanical order, and all doors shall operate easily and close securely from either the outside or inside of the taxicab vehicle.

14. Have wheels with hubcaps attached, unless the wheels are of custom design, or otherwise of an appearance that hubcaps are not necessary for a satisfactory appearance.

15. Have bumpers and body moldings in good condition and properly attached as installed by the manufacturer.

16. Have shock absorbers and springs in good working order.

17. Have operable windshield wipers and blades in good condition.

18. Have suspension, steering, brakes, emergency brakes and exhaust system in good condition.

19. Keep dashboard and rear shelf free of loose items lying about.

20. Keep trunk and/or baggage area clean, free of items or materials that could damage or stain passengers' baggage, and free of any containers containing flammable liquids.

21. Have numbers and letters painted on or attached to the sides, front, or rear of the taxicab vehicle as required by these taxicab regulations, and they shall be the same color and in good contrast to the distinctive color scheme.

22. Have at least 3 passenger doors.

F. The driver of a taxicab vehicle shall at all times when operating the taxicab vehicle display the permit card supplied by the taxicab operator as set forth in these taxicab regulations. Taxicabs not maintained in a clean and mechanically safe condition shall be subject to revocation of that taxicab's permit.

G. Quarterly Visual Inspection by City Administrator. Prior to the end of each quarter, at a time specified by the City Administrator, each taxicab shall be inspected by the City Administrator or his or her designee to ascertain compliance with the requirements of this section. If such inspection reveals a significant safety hazard, the permit shall be automatically suspended, and the taxicab shall immediately be ordered out of service. Prior to being placed back in service, the taxicab shall be reinspected to determine that the deficiency has been corrected. An inspection fee for a rescheduled quarterly inspection or a reinspection will be charged as designated by the City Council.

H. Significant Safety Hazard.

1. The existence of a significant safety hazard shall be grounds for the automatic suspension of a taxicab permit by the City Administrator. The taxicab shall immediately be ordered out of service. Prior to being placed back in service, the permittee shall submit to the City Administrator a verification from a qualified mechanic approved by the City Administrator that the deficiency has been corrected.

2. For the purposes of this chapter, a significant safety hazard shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to, the following:

a. Excessive leakage of oil, grease or any other substance from any part of the taxicab, including leakage into the taxicab.

b. Existence of any defects in the frame of the taxicab.

c. Failure to maintain any movable parts of the taxicab, including doors, windows, handles, hood, trunk and lights, in good operating condition.

d. Failure to maintain the tires, horn, exterior lights, turning signals or brakes in good operating condition.

e. Failure to maintain the motor, steering, and other mechanical parts of the taxicab in good operating condition.

f. Failure to have an adequate exhaust system, properly installed and in good operating condition.

g. Presence within the interior of the taxicab of any hard or sharp protrusion not necessary for the operation of the taxicab, or the presence of any large or heavy item which is not securely anchored to prevent movement in case of a sudden stop or collision.

h. Obstructions of the windshield, or the side or rear windows.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

Taxicab drivers shall be familiar with and obey the following rules:

A. Taxicab drivers shall not park their taxicab on any public street in the Central Business District, commonly referred to as downtown Guadalupe, except where a driver is answering a call or parked at an authorized parking area or zone.

B. Taxicab drivers shall not leave their taxicabs parked at a taxi stand or taxi parking zone unattended for more than 3 minutes.

C. Taxicab drivers shall, upon request, give any passenger making payment a receipt for the amount of the fare charged.

D. Each taxicab driver shall wear a nametag having the driver's first name, driver number, and current picture attached to the driver's breast pocket or other readily visible location at all times while the driver is operating a taxicab for hire. The driver's permit shall be readily available at all times for inspection by the City Administrator, or Police Chief while the driver is operating a taxicab.

E. Taxicab operators, managers, or drivers shall not drive, or permit to be driven, a taxicab vehicle with an unclean interior.

F. Every taxicab operator and driver placing in service, driving, or causing to be driven, any taxicab vehicle in the City of Guadalupe shall be responsible for the thorough washing of each taxicab vehicle operated or driven by them at least once a week, and shall also carefully sweep and clean each taxicab vehicle and trunk compartment at the completion of each shift of operation; and whenever required in writing by the Department of Public Health of the County of Santa Barbara, every taxicab operator and driver operating or causing to be operated a taxicab vehicle within the City limits shall be responsible for immediately disinfecting each taxicab vehicle so operated or driven by them by spraying them with a disinfectant.

G. Taxicab drivers shall not consume or be under the influence of any alcohol, controlled substance, or prescribed or nonprescribed drug which affects their driving, while operating a taxicab vehicle.

H. Taxicab drivers shall comply with all the reasonable requests of a passenger, including but not limited to the giving of their name, permit number, the taxicab permit number, and informing the passenger of the complaint form available in the City Administrative Department.

I. Taxicab drivers shall not threaten, harass or abuse any passenger or use or attempt to use any physical force against a passenger except in self-defense or in the defense of another.

J. Taxicab drivers shall not refuse to transport a passenger's luggage, wheelchair, crutches, or other similar property or a guide dog or other orderly pet.

K. Taxicab drivers shall, if requested, assist a handicapped, disabled or elderly person to, into and out of the taxicab vehicle if within the physical capacity of the driver.

L. Upon request of a passenger, taxicab drivers shall load or unload luggage in or from the taxicab vehicle's interior or trunk compartment if within the physical capacity of the driver.

M. Taxicab drivers shall not smoke, drink or eat while a passenger is in the taxicab vehicle.

N. Taxicab drivers shall not operate any radio, except the radio dispatch system described in subsection G of Section 5.48.170, or any radio or tape player while a passenger is in the taxicab vehicle unless the passenger so requests.

O. Taxicab drivers shall be neatly attired and shall not wear short pants; ragged, torn, or dirty clothing of any type; unsightly or unsafe footwear; any clothing with offensive or obscene words, statements or phrases; T-shirts (unless covered by an overshirt or designated as part of a uniform by the driver's employer); or any other clothing inappropriate to the conduct of business. Violations of this section shall be grounds for revocation of permittee's taxi driver permit.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

All taxicabs shall be used strictly in conformance with the following rules:

A. Carrying of Additional Passengers. When a taxicab is engaged, the occupant shall have the exclusive right to the full use of the passenger compartment, and the owner or driver of such taxicab shall not solicit or carry additional passengers without the consent of the occupant.

B. Calls to be Answered as Received. The driver of any taxicab shall answer all calls received in the order of their receipt.

C. Limitation on Number of Passengers. No driver of any taxicab shall transport any larger number of passengers than the rated seating capacity of his or her taxicab.

D. Circuitous Routes. Any driver employed to carry passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route possible that will carry the passengers safely and expeditiously to their destination.

E. Leasing of Taxicabs. Any taxicab permittee may, upon mutual agreement between the permittee and a driver, provide for a system of leasing taxicabs to taxicab drivers.

F. Radio Dispatch. All new taxicab permittees shall operate under a radio dispatch system.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

A. The rates of fare to be charged to the public for use of taxicabs shall be the same for all taxicabs operated by the permittee, and shall be based upon time and distance traveled.

B. The Council, by resolution, may establish rates for mileage, drop charges, and waiting time applicable to all taxicabs. This rate shall increase due to changes in the Consumer Price Index.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

Except where credit is extended, any person who shall willfully or fraudulently fail or refuse to pay, at the end of the trip, or the termination or discharge of service, the legal fare for a taxicab that he or she has hired, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)

This chapter shall not invalidate any taxicab permit extant upon the date of its effectiveness, and all such permits shall remain in full force and effect unless revoked or suspended as herein provided.

(Ord. 2004-369 §1)