§ 102-26. Definitions.

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:

Driver or chauffeur means every person in actual charge of the operation of a taxicab, as defined in this section, whether as owner or agent, servant or employee of the owner, as defined in this section.

Limousine means any automobile or self-propelled vehicle used for transportation of a passenger for hire over a public street of the city, whereby the rate for hire of such vehicle is based solely upon the time the vehicle is used, with a minimum time being charged of at least two hours, and the vehicle is routed to a destination under the direction of the passenger or person hiring the vehicle.

Manifest means a daily record prepared by the taxicab driver of all trips made by such driver showing place of origin, destination, number of passengers, the amount of fare for passengers and the total number of hours driven.

Owner and taxicab operator means any person who has the control, direction, maintenance and the benefit of the collection of revenue derived from the operation of taxicabs on or over the streets or public ways of the city, whether as owner or otherwise, except a driver.

Permit means authority granted to the owner allowing such owner to operate a taxicab, and the permit shall authorize such operator of a taxicab to engage in the business of transportation by taxicab. The term "permit" includes the term "license."

Taxi subterminal means any place other than a taxi terminal in which the drivers or chauffeurs of taxicabs shall receive calls from a dispatcher and the calls are relayed from a taxi terminal, and which shall likewise mean and embrace the space and area used by taxicabs while waiting for passengers.

Taxicab means every automobile or self-propelled vehicle used for transportation of a passenger for hire over the public streets of the city, irrespective of whether or not the operations extend beyond the city limits, at rates for distance traveled, wait time or for both or at rates per hour, whereby such vehicle is routed to a destination under the direction of the passenger or person hiring the vehicle. However, the term "taxicab" shall not apply to:

(1)

Vehicles or motorbuses operating over a fixed or definite route under permit, franchise or license issued by the city or other regulatory authority;

(2)

School buses, either private or public;

(3)

Church buses;

(4)

Authorized emergency vehicles;

(5)

Limousines;

(6)

Vehicles hired in connection with funeral services;

(7)

Any vehicle for hire:

a.

Whose route originates outside of the city and passes through the city without discharge or pickup of a passenger; or

b.

Whose route is terminated within the city without picking up a passenger; or

(8)

Any vehicle operating in furtherance of the city's circulator transit program or successor program.

Taximeter means a machine adapted automatically to calculate, at a predetermined rate, and to register the charge for hire of a taxicab. Such charges shall be indicated by means of figures.

Terminal means the taxi depot, at which place the taxicabs shall be housed or parked, at which place the telephone calls and requests for service shall be made and at which place a dispatcher shall dispatch the taxicabs to points of request for taxicab service. This term shall likewise be synonymous with taxi terminal and shall mean and embrace that space and area of land and buildings off the streets of the city and upon private property and shall be and constitute the main office of the owner and taxicab operator.

Waiting time means such time as may be consumed or lost at the special instance and request of a passenger after such passenger has first entered the taxicab to make a trip and before reaching his final destination or such time as may be consumed or lost due to extreme traffic conditions.

(Code 1967, § 29-1; Ord. No. 6926, § 1, 2-10-94; Ord. No. 7920, § 1, 3-13-97; Ord. No. 10,811, § 1, 1-24-08)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.