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[Code 1962 §29-1; CC 1979 §29-16]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
CERTIFICATE
A certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the City Council.
CRUISING
The driving of a taxicab on the streets, alleys or public places in the City in search of or solicitation of prospective passengers for hire.
DRIVER'S LICENSE
The permission granted by the City to a person to drive a taxicab upon the streets of the City.
HOLDER
A person to whom a certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued.
OPEN STAND
A public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the City which has been designated by the City Council as reserved exclusively for the use of a holder.
TAXICAB
A motor vehicle engaged regularly or part-time in the business of carrying passengers for hire, having a seating capacity of not more than five (5), exclusive of the driver and not operated on a regular route or between fixed termini.
[1]
Cross Reference — Rules of construction and definitions generally, §100.020.
[Code 1962 §29-2; CC 1979 §29-17]
All persons engaged in the taxicab business in the City and operating under the provisions of this Chapter shall render an overall service to the public desiring to use taxicabs. Holders of certificates of public convenience and necessity shall maintain a central place of business (cab stand) and keep the same open at all reasonable hours for the purpose of receiving calls and dispatching cabs. They shall answer all calls received by them for services inside the corporate limits of the City as soon as they can do so and if such services cannot be rendered within a reasonable time they shall notify the prospective passengers how long it will be before the call can be answered and give the reason therefor. Any holder who shall refuse to accept a call anywhere in the corporate limits of the City at any time when such holder has available cabs, or who shall unreasonably refuse to give overall service, shall be deemed a violator of this Chapter and the certificate granted to such holder shall be revoked at the discretion of the City Manager.
[Code 1962 §29-3; CC 1979 §29-18]
A. 
Each vehicle operated under this Chapter shall, in addition to any other equipment required by law, have the following equipment:
1. 
Interior light. A light within the passenger compartment, which shall be lit while taking on and discharging passengers.
2. 
Tire chains, etc. Tire chains or snow tread tires which shall be applied or installed whenever the streets are in a slippery condition because of ice, snow or sleet.
[1]
Cross Reference — Motor vehicle equipment generally, ch. 385.
[Code 1962 §29-4; CC 1979 §29-19]
Every vehicle operating under this Chapter may be inspected by the Police Department at any time and shall be periodically so inspected to see that the same is kept in a clean and sanitary condition and is in a safe operating condition.
[Code 1962 §29-6; CC 1979 §29-21]
Each taxicab operating under this Chapter shall bear on the outside of one (1) door, on each side, in painted letters in a contrasting color to the background, not less than one (1) inch in width nor less than four (4) inches in height, the name of the company, owner or firm name of the operator of the same, and, in addition, shall bear such identifying letters on the rear of such taxicab together with the identifying number of such cab at the same places, and in addition, may bear an identifying design approved by the City Manager. No vehicle covered by the terms of this Chapter shall be licensed to use any color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia to be used thereon which shall be found by the City Manager to conflict with or imitate any color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia used on a vehicle already operating under this Chapter, in such a manner as to be misleading or to tend to deceive or defraud the public; provided, that if, after a license has been issued for a taxicab hereunder, the color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia thereof is changed so as to be, as found by the City Manager, in conflict with or imitate any color scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia of any other person, owner or operator, in such a manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive the public, the license of or certificate of public convenience and necessity covering such taxicab shall be suspended or revoked.
[Code 1962 §29-7; CC 1979 §29-22]
A. 
Any holder or applicant for a certificate of public convenience and necessity desiring to establish a cab stand location in the City shall make application therefor to the City Manager, giving the location of such proposed cab stand. Upon filing of the application the Chief of Police shall make an investigation and report as to the traffic conditions at such proposed cab stand location. The City Manager shall take into consideration the convenience of the cab stand in providing service to the public and shall also take into consideration the report from the Chief of Police and then either grant or refuse such application. No cab stand may be located adjoining or adjacent to a church, and no cab stand shall be located facing upon the public square of the City. No holder or applicant therefor shall obtain permits for more than two (2) such cab stands within the downtown area off the public square.
B. 
The action of the City Manager in granting or refusing such application for a cab stand permit shall be reviewed by the City Council upon request therefor by any interested person.
[Code 1962 §§29-11, 29-12; CC 1979 §29-23]
A. 
Loud or Annoying Manner — Following for Purposes of Solicitation. No driver licensed pursuant to this Article shall solicit patronage in a loud or annoying tone of voice or by sign or in any manner annoy any person or obstruct the movement of any persons, or follow any person for the purpose of soliciting patronage.
B. 
Solicitation at Terminal or Along Route of Common Carriers. No driver, owner or operator of a taxicab operating under this Chapter shall solicit passengers at the terminal of any other common carrier or at any intermediate points along any established route of any other common carrier.
[Code 1962 §29-13; CC 1979 §29-24]
Drivers of taxicabs will not receive or discharge passengers in the roadway or at intersections but shall pull up to the right-hand sidewalk as nearly as possible or, in the absence of a sidewalk, to the extreme right-hand side of the road and there receive or discharge passengers, except upon one-way streets, where passengers may be discharged at either the right-hand or left-hand sidewalk, or side of the roadway in the absence of a sidewalk.
[Code 1962 §29-14; CC 1979 §29-25]
A taxicab driver licensed pursuant to this Chapter shall not permit more than three (3) passengers to be carried in the rear seat and two (2) passengers to be carried in the front seat of any taxicab at any time. A child in arms shall not be counted as a passenger.
[Code 1962 §29-15; CC 1979 §29-26]
No driver licensed pursuant to this Chapter shall refuse and neglect to convey any orderly person, upon request, unless previously engaged or unable or forbidden by the provisions of this Article to do so.
[Code 1962 §29-16; CC 1979 §29-27]
It shall be a violation of this Chapter for any driver of a taxicab to solicit business for any hotel, or to attempt to divert patronage from one hotel to another, nor shall any such driver engage in selling intoxicating liquors or soliciting business for any house of ill repute or use his/her vehicle for any purpose other than transporting of passengers and property.
[1]
Cross Reference — Alcoholic beverages generally, ch. 600.
[Code 1962 §29-17; CC 1979 §29-28]
The Chief of Police is hereby given the authority and he/she is instructed to watch and observe the conduct of holders of certificates of public convenience and necessity and drivers operating under this Chapter. Upon discovering a violation of the provisions of this Article, the Chief of Police shall report the same to the City Manager who will order or take appropriate action.