St. Helena Municipal Code Art. 1 In General

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

“Driver” means every person in charge of, or operating, taxicab or rent car, either as agent, employee or otherwise under the direction of the owner, or as owner.

“Owner” means every person, firm or corporation having use or control of any taxicab or rent car, whether as owner, lessee or otherwise.

“Passenger bus” means any motor vehicle designed for carrying ten (10) or more passengers and engaged in the transportation of persons for compensation.

“Rent car” means every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle, excluding taxicabs, operated at rates per hour, and not equipped with a taximeter, used for the transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the city and not over a defined route and irrespective of whether the operations extend beyond the boundary limits of the city, and such vehicle is routed as to destination under the direction of such passenger or of such person hiring the same.

“Street” means any place commonly used for the purpose of public travel.

“Taxicab” means every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle operated at rates per mile or for wait-time, or for both, and equipped with either a taximeter or some other device or apparatus by which the distance traveled can be measured or determined, used for the transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the city and not over a defined route and irrespective of whether the operations extend beyond the boundary limits of the city, and such vehicle is routed as to destination under the direction of such passenger or of such person hiring the same.

“Taximeter” means any mechanical instrument, appliance, device or machine by which the charge for hire of a passenger-carrying vehicle is mechanically calculated, either for distance traveled or time consumed, or both, and upon such instrument, appliance, device or machine such charge is indicated by figures. (Prior code § 15.1)

Every owner shall register with the city clerk a written schedule of rates for services which may be amended or revised by the owner at any time by registering with the city clerk the written amendment. It is unlawful for the driver or owner of any taxicab or rented automobile to charge or collect for services any rate more or less than the schedule rate for such service registered with the city clerk. (Prior code § 15.2)

All public passenger vehicles for hire shall be under the supervision and control of the chief of police and he or she shall not permit any driver to operate any taxicab or rent car in the city, while same or any equipment used thereon, or therewith, shall be unsafe, defective or unsanitary condition, and every taxicab or rent car shall be at all times subject to the inspection of any police officer of the city. (Prior code § 15.3)