Ridgecrest Municipal Code § 7-53 Taxi stands

Footnotes:

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State Law reference— Local regulation of taxicabs, Government Code § 53075.5.

No person shall operate a taxi upon a public street of the city without first securing a franchise as required by this article.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.401)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Taxi franchise means a franchise granted under this article to operate taxi service upon the streets of the city.

Taxi service means the transportation of passengers for compensation within a motor vehicle over the streets of the city and not over a fixed or defined route, provided the use of a motor vehicle for which a driver is not provided or a motor vehicle owned, operated or subsidized by a governmental agency or political subdivision does not constitute taxi service.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.402; Ord. No. 91-03, § 2)

A non-exclusive taxi franchise to serve customers within all or any portion of the city may be granted by the city council by ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.403)

Any grantee of a taxi franchise shall pay to the city a franchise fee of three percent of the gross annual receipts of the grantee.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.404; Ord. No. 89-19, § 3)

(a) No rate, fee or charge shall be levied or collected for taxi service except in compliance with this section.

(b) The franchisee shall submit proposed rates for taxi service to the city clerk. The city clerk shall cause a notice to be published of the proposed rates. The rates are effective ten days after publication.

(c) The approved rates shall be posted within each taxicab at a location visible to passengers.

(d) The franchisee shall not charge more than the approved rates, but may charge less.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.405; Ord. No. 91-03, § 3)

(a) Each vehicle used for taxi service by the franchisee shall be maintained in a safe and clean condition. Each vehicle shall include an exterior display signifying it is a franchised taxicab and an instrument or device by which the charge for use of the vehicle is calculated and upon which such charge is indicated by means of figures visible to the passengers. Each vehicle shall be insured against liability for personal injury in a minimum amount from time-to-time determined by the city attorney. The franchisee shall cause the city to be named as an added insured on such policy.

(b) Prior to commencement of service, the franchisee shall obtain a certificate from the chief of police that each vehicle to be used for taxi service has complied with this section. A certificate shall also be obtained each time the franchisee proposes to substitute or add a new vehicle to provide taxi service.

(c) The chief shall prepare forms to be used by the franchisee to apply for the certificate. The application form shall provide such information as the chief of police deems necessary to determine that the vehicle satisfies the requirements of this article.

(d) Each vehicle shall be inspected at least annually, after any accident, and may be inspected more frequently as necessary to ensure compliance with this article.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.406; Ord. No. 91-03, § 4; Ord. No. 99-04, § 2)

(a) The franchisee shall not engage any person to operate or drive a vehicle to be used for taxi service unless the driver is duly licensed and qualified to carry passengers. A driver who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, including, but not limited to, using, possessing, selling or transporting any controlled substance or dangerous drug, or who has been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within three years of the application, or who has been convicted of reckless driving within two years of the application, shall be presumed not qualified to operate a taxi within the city.

(b) Prior to commencement of service, each driver engaged by the franchisee to drive a vehicle to be used for taxi service shall obtain a certificate from the chief of police that the driver has complied with this section. The certificate shall also be obtained each time the franchisee proposes to substitute or add a new driver to provide taxi service.

(c) The chief shall prepare forms to be used to apply for a driver's certificate. The application form shall provide such information as the chief deems necessary to determine that the driver satisfies the requirements of this article.

(d) If, after review of the application and the applicant's driver's record, the chief determines that the application and the driver comply with the requirements of this article, the chief shall issue a certificate to the driver.

(e) Each driver's certificate shall be reviewed at least annually, after any accident, and more frequently as necessary to ensure compliance with this article.

(f) Each driver shall comply with city's policy regarding the conditions for entry into the business of taxicab transportation service, the establishment or registration of rates, and mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.407; Ord. No. 91-03, § 5; Ord. No. 11-02, § 2)

(a) Every vehicle used for taxi service shall display the following in a place visible from the passenger's compartment: A notice showing the name of the franchisee; the certificate issued by the chief of police under this article for the vehicle and for the driver; and the rate schedule approved by the council.

(b) The driver shall take the most direct route possible that will carry the passenger safely and expeditiously to their destination unless specifically directed otherwise by the passenger.

(c) When a vehicle is engaged, the passengers have the exclusive right to full and free use of the passenger compartment and no additional passengers shall be solicited or carried therein, without the consent of the existing passengers.

(d) Any passenger who refuses to pay the fare upon arrival at the passenger's destination, shall be guilty of an infraction.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.408; Ord. No. 91-03, § 6)

The franchisee shall secure an encroachment permit from the director of public works before establishing any fixed points of departure within the city. As used herein, a fixed point of departure for taxi service is also known as a taxi stand. The director may issue an encroachment permit as to any state highway within the city, provided that this article is first approved in writing by the state department of transportation.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.402; Ord. No. 91-03, § 7)