§ 31-43. Taxicab fares.

(a)

Metered rates. Taxicabs operating as metered taxicabs shall be governed by the following rules:

(1)

The metered taxicab rates for taxicabs operating in the city shall be as follows:

a.

For the first one-sixth-mile or fraction thereof ..... $1.50

b.

For each additional one-sixth-mile or fraction thereof ..... 0.25

c.

When a taxicab is required to wait at the request of the passenger, the charge therefor shall be twelve dollars ($12.00) per hour for such waiting time.

d.

An additional hazard fee of one dollar ($1.00) per trip may be charged between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.

(2)

How rates are applied.

a.

The rates set out in this section shall apply up to and including five (5) passengers, where the point of origination and point of destination of such passengers is the same. It shall also apply to the first fifty (50) pounds of ordinary traveling baggage conveyed with each such passenger.

b.

When all passengers are members of the same group or party and originate from the same point and go to the same destination, or when the original passenger directs the driver to pick up or discharge others in the same group or party, all passengers up to the maximum number specified in this section shall be transported for the metered fare as authorized in this section.

c.

When one (1) or more additional groups consisting of one (1) or more passengers share the same taxicab, the fare charged shall be the metered fare. The driver shall reset the meter upon the discharging of each group. Additional passengers may be picked up at the beginning of any trip or en route only if such pickup is acceptable to the initial passenger or group employing the taxicab.

(3)

Overcharging. Except for the hazard fee authorized in this section, no driver of any taxicab shall charge more for the use of such taxicab than is shown on the taximeter thereon.

(4)

Written receipt upon demand. The driver or operator of any vehicle used in taxicab service shall, upon the demand of the passenger, give such passenger a written receipt showing the time and the date, and the point from which and to where the passenger was hauled, and the amount charged therefor.

(5)

Flat rate or charge for metered taxicab. Nothing in this section shall prohibit metered taxicabs from being operated for a flat rate or charge, provided that no such charge shall be greater than the amount which would be charged for the same service calculated at metered rates, and further provided that such flat rate or charge be mutually agreed upon between the operator and party responsible for payment of the fare prior to the beginning of the service.

(b)

Flat rate fares. Taxicabs operating as flat rate taxicabs shall be governed by the following rules:

(1)

As an alternative to the metered rates provided for above, a taxicab operating in the city may charge a flat rate of six dollars ($6.00) per fare for each pick up and delivery. The flat rate of six dollars ($6.00) is for one (1) person, and an additional charge of two dollars ($2.00) for each additional person in a group may be added to the fare. When one (1) or more additional groups consisting of one (1) or more passengers share the same taxicab, the driver may charge an additional six dollar ($6.00) fare per pickup or delivery.

(2)

Additional passengers may be picked up at the beginning of any trip or in route only if such pickup is acceptable to the initial passenger or group employing the taxicab.

(3)

Overcharging. Except for the hazard fee authorized in this section, no driver of any taxicab shall charge more for the use of such taxicab than is provided for under the flat rate fee set forth above.

(4)

Written receipt upon demand. The driver or operator of any vehicle used in taxicab service shall, upon the demand of the passenger, give such passenger a written receipt showing the time and the date, and the point from which and to where the passenger was hauled, and the amount charged therefor.

(c)

[Operations.] A taxicab must operate either as a metered rate taxicab, or a flat rate taxicab.

(Ord. No. 49-2006, § 1, 6-26-2006; Ord. No. 021-2011, § 1, 4-25-2011)